Virtus: Reaction to Adversity and New Hopes in the Playoffs

Virtus, two reasons to smile. Maybe three, thinking back to the record achieved on Sunday and how the team of Dusko Ivanovic she managed to react to adversity, from the injury of Alexander Pajola to the early exits due to fouls of key players such as Will Clyburn, Toko Shengelia and Daniel Hackett.

The success and the way it matured, tears a third smile. But those that count the most, probably, are the first two. There was a pinch of apprehension about Alessandro Pajola, even knowing that captain Futuro has a notable pain threshold and is capable of staying on the field, even bandaged, without fear.

After all, we are talking about a boy who, on the pitch - just think back to Europe some time ago - even lost a tooth, due to a blow as accidental as it was heavy.

It was thought that Pajola would have to skip at least game one, the one scheduled for Sunday evening, at the Segafredo Arena, against Reyer Venezia.

But the first match of a quarterfinal is always a rather delicate confrontation. Pajola is following the appropriate therapies - to solve the problem with his ankle - and has already provided all the necessary assurances. He wants to be on the field.

And speaking of insurance, Virtus has 'signed' a very important one, because in playoff, then, there won't be much time to catch your breath. The matches will be played every two days with fairly short recovery times.

It is true that this is a problem common not only to Virtus, but also to its opponents. But Dusko Ivanovic He is the first to know that he is leading a group of veterans: captain Belinelli is 39, Hackett is 37, Will Clyburn is 34, Toko Shengelia and Achille Polonara are 33. Five over 30s who will have to be managed.

That's why insurance is called Brandon Taylor, 31 years old, director who comes from Spain and who has already played in Italy with the jerseys of Bergamo and Reggio Emilia. Nobody will ask him for 30 points per game: only the ability to be ready when called upon.

And besides, memory runs to the last Virtus championship, dated 2021. Do you remember who was, at least on paper, the twelfth? Josh Adams. In fact, he spent the playoffs waving the towel from the bench to encourage his teammates. But in the gym, in training, he contributed a lot to exalting Markovic and Teodosic. Victories are also built on small details. Small, but fundamental.

Closing with Will Clyburn: he took the MVP title of the last day.