In the penultimate preseason game, Openjobmetis Varese secured another victory, defeating Libertas Livorno 88-83 at the end of an intense and hard-fought scrimmage. The red-and-whites, who took the court without Hale and McDowell-White and with Alviti and Della Valle’s playing time managed, still performed well over the course of the forty minutes, managing—especially in the second half—to build a significant lead and hold off their opponents’ comeback attempt down the stretch. Beyond the result, the game represented another valuable step in the team’s preparation for the start of the official season, allowing Coach Kastritis to distribute playing time and responsibilities and enabling the team to continue working on its systems, gradually increasing pace, conditioning, and chemistry among the players. The Red-and-Whites’ preseason is now heading toward its final match: on Saturday, September 19, Openjobmetis will return to the court at the Itelyum Arena for a friendly against Maxima Roma. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.
It was a back-and-forth start, with Livorno immediately trying to take the lead, but Varese responded with Nikolic and a three-pointer by Librizzi. The game proceeded neck-and-neck, with the lead changing hands repeatedly: Della Valle and Roby hit shots from beyond the arc, while the visitors responded well with Penna, Filoni, and Valentini. In the closing moments, Duke Jr. cut the lead with a three-pointer, and Ikangi—again from long range—hit the shot that gave them the lead, making it 24-22 at the first intermission. Tozzi opened the second quarter with a three-pointer to take the lead, but Openjobmetis fought back, relying on Ikangi and Renfro to regain the lead at 31-27. Livorno, however, stayed close and turned the score around once again, while Kamagate took center stage in the paint, keeping the red-and-whites in the game. In the closing minutes, after Cournooh tied the score at 43-43, Nikolic hit a big three-pointer and Ladurner completed the run that sent Varese into the locker room leading 48-43.
After returning from the locker room, Openjobmetis shifted gears: Duke Jr. and Villa sparked a run, then Basualdo scored six straight points to push Varese to a 58-43 lead. Livorno tried to close the gap with Cournooh and Penna, but the red-and-whites maintained control and picked up the pace again with a three-pointer by Villa and a basket by Ladurner. Duke Jr. hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to +16, before the visitors mounted a comeback to close out the quarter at 70-58. Nikolic opened the final quarter, then Librizzi and Ikangi answered three-pointers by Cournooh and Piccoli, allowing Openjobmetis to maintain a comfortable lead. Renfro made it 83-69, but Livorno didn’t give up and, led by Penna, Vildera, and Valentini, tried to close the gap. Roby and Villa kept the visitors at bay; in the closing minutes, the visitors narrowed the gap further thanks to Gaeta, Tozzi, and Possamai, but they were unable to complete the comeback: Varese closed out the game ahead 88-83.
Pallacanestro Openjobmetis Varese-Libertas Livorno: 88-83 (24-22; 48-43; 70-58)
Pallacanestro Openjobmetis Varese: Alviti, Duke Jr. 14, Villa 8, Della Valle 7, Nikolic 10, Librizzi 6, Renfro 12, Kamagate 8, Roby 5, Ladurner 5, Ikangi 8, Basualdo 5. Coach: Giannis Kastritis.
Libertas Livorno: Gaeta 3, Graves 4, Valentini 4, Tozzi 8, Piccoli 6, Sakine 9, Penna 14, Cournooh 16, Possamai 4, Vildera 8, Filoni 7. Coach: Andrea Diana.