Givova Scafati Dominates Reggio Emilia, 102-76 Victory at PalaMangano

The Givova Scafati Basket team emphatically avenged their recent defeat, delivering a resounding 102-76 victory over Unahotels Reggio Emilia in their opening round of the return leg. Playing before their home crowd at the PalaMangano arena, Scafati showcased a masterful performance, fueled by high shooting percentages from both three-point range and the free-throw line, coupled with exceptional ball recovery. Despite missing key players Pinkins and Robinson, president Nello Longobardi’s team dictated the pace from the opening tip, effectively stifling Reggio Emilia’s offensive strategies. The quarter scores highlighted Scafati’s dominance: 31-13, 56-32, 80-52, and the final 102-76.

Coach Matteo Boniciolli expressed his satisfaction, albeit with a hint of frustration, stating, “I’m not just angry; I’m furious. I knew this team’s potential, and our defensive performance in the last two home games has been exceptional. Our offense has even thrived despite missing our starting power forward and point guard, thanks to the club’s unwavering support. We’ve won four of our last five games, but my anger stems from the team not yet fully realizing its capabilities. Dwelling on past successes distracts from future goals. I don’t know how far we’ll go, but next week’s game in Pistoia will be a crucial test. They boast a formidable lineup: five excellent American players and five talented Italians, several from their youth academy, brimming with energy and determination. Today, we glimpsed our potential; next week, we’ll define our aspirations. Will we remain complacent, or will we strive to meet the high standards set by our team’s quality and the significant investment made by the club? We’ve overcome significant deficits in the past against teams arguably less skilled than Reggio Emilia, proving our self-limiting tendencies are our biggest hurdle. Our first quarter displayed phenomenal intensity; a powerful early strike that, while not completely disabling our opponents, kept them constantly on the defensive throughout the match. While I was pleased to see the team recover from its four-game losing streak, I’m now motivated to ensure this hard work translates into consistent results, especially with the unwavering support from the team’s ownership. Next week’s outcome is secondary; the focus is on attitude – a crucial factor against a formidable opponent on their home court, a team having an incredible season.”

Scafati’s top scorers were: Rivers (28 points), Logan (18), Rossato (14), Gamble (12), Nunge (11), Strelnieks (9), Gentile (8), and Imade (2). Galloway led Reggio Emilia with 16 points. Scafati’s next challenge is a road game against Pistoia on Saturday, January 20th. Pistoia, fresh from qualifying for the Coppa Italia Final Eight, suffered a recent 107-69 defeat against Dinamo Sassari. Fabrizio Manfredonia.