Virtus loses in Naples against former Giorgio Valli and fails to secure first place alone

Naples, 16 March 2025 - Virtus is knocked out in Naples, defeated 93-88 by the team ofex Giorgio Valli and fails in his goal of conquering the solitary first place in the rankings.

A subdued performance for the Bianconeri who appeared to lack clarity in the decisive moments of a match with a thousand emotions remained in the balance for a long time and with the advantages on one side or the other always very narrow.

The lack of clarity in the final and the expulsion of Shengelia in reaction after contact with Woldetensae ultimately they influenced the final outcome of the confrontation.

With Clyburn absent, coach Ivanovic leaves Visconti and Grazulis in the stands, recovers Pajola and Belinelli, and throws them into the starting five together with Cordinier, Akele and Diouf.

A very balanced start, then Napoli with triples from Pullen and Pangos extends the lead to 20-14 with a 7-0 partial.

The Bologna team, and former team of the challenge, George Valley tries to stop the Juventus attack with tactics, but the end of the quarter and the beginning of the second half of the game is instead all of the Black Vs. It's the many free throws that make the difference: Shengelia's 6 make the score 20-20, Morgan's 5 allow Virtus to extend the lead to 22-27.

Fruit Village Arena warms up on Zubcic's plays that bring Naples forward. Diuof and a basket at the buzzer are worth the 44-44 with which the teams go to halftime.

In the second half, the Campanians extend their lead they reach +7 on 61-54 at 26' on baskets by Woldetensae and the former Fortitudo player Totè; a flash by Cordinier brings Virtus back, but at the beginning last quarter of the game Napoli flies with Zubcic for the 78-68 in the 32nd minute.

The challenge gets tough, at 35' on 81-76 a contact between Shengelia and Woldetensae triggers the reaction of the Georgian which is expelled, while Woldetensae was given an unsportsmanlike foul.

The reaction of Virtus is extraordinary, especially on a defensive level, with Pajola and Diuof at the forefront.the ending is breathtaking, Virtus ahead 86-88 at 38'. Pullen turns it around with 5 points in a row for 91-88 with 46” to go. The final point is scored by Totè's dunk.

Virtus is knocked out and therefore, in addition to Brescia, it also shares the top of the table with Trapani and Trento, with a quartet currently leading the Serie A championship.

The next challenge for Marco Belinelli and his teammates is next Thursday in Belgrade against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague and next Saturday in Triste in the championship.

The little table

NAPLES BASKETBALL 93

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 88

NAPLES BASKETBALL: Pangos 11, Pullen 25, Woldetensae 6, Zubcic 25, Totè 7; Treier, De Nicolao 2, Egbunu 7, Saccoccia; Acunzo ne, Fiodo ne, Dut Biar ne. All. Valli.

VIRTUS BOLOGNA: Pajola 5, Cordinier 9, Belinelli 13, Akele 1, Diouf 11; Zizic 8, Tucker 6, Shengelia 12, Hackett 3, Morgan 8, Polonara 10; Holiday ne. Coach Ivanovic.

Referees: Lo Guzzo, Perciavalle, Lucotti.

Notes: Partials 20-20, 44-44, 69-66. Two-pointers: Napoli 13/26; Virtus 19/35. Three-pointers: 17/35; 9/20. Free throws: 16/19; 23/28. Rebounds: 26; 35.