Openjobmetis Varese earned its third consecutive preseason victory, defeating Napoli Basketball 102-98 in the semifinal of the “Trofeo Basilicata – Sport Invaders,” currently underway at the PalaSassi in Matera. Another useful test for the red-and-whites, who continue to build up playing time and work on team chemistry and tactics ahead of the season’s official opener. Varese, like Napoli, did not field a full roster for the game: Coach Kastritis, in fact, rested Amedeo Della Valle as a precaution due to fatigue in his right leg, while also managing the playing time of McDowell-White and Isaiah Roby—the latter making his debut on the court in an Openjobmetis jersey. Tomorrow, the red-and-whites will return to the PalaSassi court for the tournament final, scheduled for 7:00 p.m., against the winner of the match between Scafati and BC Roma.
Napoli broke the deadlock with a basket by Seljaas, but Varese immediately found its rhythm on offense, with Hale, Renfro, and Librizzi putting them ahead. The Azzurri tried to stay in touch, but Openjobmetis gradually stepped up the pace and scored through several players, managing to extend their lead into double digits for the first time. Kamagate and Ikangi gave the Red-and-Whites an extra boost, while in the closing minutes, Hale and Alviti struck again from long range to make it 23-35 at the first buzzer. Varese maintained its high intensity early in the second quarter and continued to find excellent offensive opportunities, further widening the gap. Hale and Alviti led the Red-and-Whites’ latest run, while Nikolic’s three-pointer gave them their largest lead at 32-50, forcing Coach Repeša to call a timeout. After the pep talk, Napoli shifted gears and, led by Seljaas, began a comeback, gradually closing the gap. Openjobmetis tried several times to fend off the Neapolitans’ efforts, but in the closing minutes, Faggian and Dowtin brought the Azzurri back to 53-58 at halftime.
Napoli’s comeback continued after returning from the locker room, with the Neapolitans closing the gap to 60–62. In their moment of greatest difficulty, however, Varese turned to Hale, who once again shifted the momentum of the game with seven consecutive points, giving the red-and-whites some breathing room. From there, Openjobmetis regained control of the pace, getting solid contributions from Nikolic, Roby, and Ikangi while keeping the Azzurri at bay. Naples kept fighting without ever giving up, but Renfro answered in the closing minutes, and Varese entered the final quarter leading 76–85. Openjobmetis also started the final quarter strong, and with Nikolic and Kamagate, they immediately regained a 14-point lead, putting pressure on Naples once again. The Neapolitans didn’t give up and tried to reopen the game with Faggian and Brown, but at the decisive moment, it was Roby who quashed the comeback with five consecutive points, before Duke Jr. and Renfro pushed Varese past the 100-point mark. With the outcome all but decided, Kastritis gave playing time to the young players Risi and Kangur; Napoli took advantage to close the gap in the final possessions with Jakimovski and Spissu, but Openjobmetis held on to its lead until the final buzzer, finishing 98-102.
NAPOLI BASKETBALL-PALLACANESTRO OPENJOBMETIS VARESE: 98-102 (23-35; 53-58; 76-85)
Napoli Basketball: Spissu 15, Seljaas 20, Dowtin 7, Faggian 9, Sankare 2, White 11, Brown 11, Jakimovski 9, Caruso 4, Ramsey 10. Coach: Jasmin Repeša.
Pallacanestro Openjobmetis Varese: Alviti 8, Duke Jr. 8, Villa, McDowell-White 2, Nikolic 12, Hale 27, Librizzi 9, Renfro 12, Kamagate 5, Kangur, Roby 11, Ladurner, Ikangi 8, Risi. Coach: Giannis Kastritis.
Photo by Ciamillo&Castoria – Unauthorized reproduction prohibited