Virtus suffers against Trapani, wins and is queen

Bologna, 11 May 2025 – La Virtus wins the battle of the Segafredo Arena overcoming after extra time Trapani and earns the first place in the standings and relative home-field advantage in all playoffs. A Stoic Virtue puts a stop to the ambitions of the Sicilians and gives his people a magical night. Well-deserved primacy for Dusko Ivanovic's team that loses on the road Alessandro Pajola, ankle problem but is dragged first by Will Clyburn and then in overtime by Isaiah Cordinier.

A victory that is worth first place, with the Black Vs therefore finishing in the part of the draw where they will challenge Venice in the quarter-final series (first two home games on May 18 and 20) and in the event of passing the round then in the semi-final the winner of the other quarter that will pit fourth-placed Trento against fifth-placed Milan.

At the Segafredo Arena, Virtus and Trapani gave life to a challenge of a thousand emotions. Virtus starts better, ahead 11-4 at 5'. Two triples in a row by Morgan, another basket by Clyburn and free throws by Shengelia make it 23-13. The Sharks don't give up and make a 0-8 run, taking advantage of the physicality of Yeboah and Eboua. Ivanovic and Repesa play the challenge as if it were a game of chess with moves and counter-moves, adapted defenses and atypical quintets: a real duel within a duel the one between the two technicians.

The Virtus always keeps the lead, but the gap continues to lengthen and shorten. The recovery begins with Virtus 8-0 and Repesa forced to ask for time after 1'18“ on 55-37. Trapani comes back to -7, on 65-58, forcing Ivanovic to ask for time at 28'. Virtus, pushed by the crowd, puts in grit, energy, quality, Trapani does not give up and ties on 82-82 at 38'. The ending is breathtaking. Eboua puts the Sharks ahead, Akele's triple turns the score around with 37" to go. Eboua goes 1 out of 2 from the free throw line, but Alibegovic scores the visitors' +2 with 4.6" to go. At the final buzzer, Cordinier scores the equalizer that leads to overtime. Without Clyburn, Shengelia and Hackett out with fouls and Pajola injured, Isaia Cordinier takes the team on his shoulders once again: victory and first place.

The little table

VIRTUS BOLOGNA 101

DRILLS SHARK 96

(after extra time)

SEGAFREDO: Hackett 5, Cordinier 16, Clyburn 28, Polonara 6, Zizic 12; Pajola 6, Morgan 12, Belinelli 2, Akele 5, Shengelia 9, Diouf, Accorsi ne. Coach Ivanovic.

TRAPANI: Robinson 21, Brown 7, Petrucelli 4, Alibegovic 10, Horton 2; Eboua 21, Notae 8, Rossato 2, Galloway 13, Yeboah 8, Mollura ne, Gentile ne. All. Repesa.

Referees: Attard, Giovannetti, Valleriani.

Notes: Partials 23-13, 47-37, 71-62. Two-pointers: Virtus 18/42; Trapani 21/44. Three-pointers: 14/31; 10/32. Free throws: 23/29; 24/31. Rebounds: 47; 42.