With the look of those who want to start well, with the capacity to take advantage of the troubles of others, with a sports hall load at the right point, the Openjobmetis earns the first two points with merit of the season exceeding the Banco di Sardegna 87-81 Sassari even with a few too many thrills in the final minutes.
Photo gallery Openjobmetis Varese – Banco Sardegna Sassari 87-81 4 of 30
A sparkling Varese, in which it can be seen without a doubt a quick game devoted to running but without this becoming an obligation: the red and white have been good at putting these dictates into practice without exaggerating, accepting even situations in the middle of the field and in those cases also looking for the internal game where Guglielmo Caruso was a key in attacking the dreaded Oniaku. Sassari’s “Bud Spencer” produced a lot, as expected, but he was also put in difficulty in terms of fouls committed, so much so that he reached five in advance of the 40 ‘. And it has also been limited by some careful doubling of the red and white, a sign that Brase beyond the clichés (“let’s think of us”… “whoever is taller doesn’t win”…) has prepared the traps on him well.
Openjobmetis was also good at take advantage of the moment of Dinamo, came one step away from winning the Super Cup but arrived in Masnago drawn in the breath (after two games to the death) and especially in men because in the end Bucchi also had to give up Stefano Gentile. And the Campania play-guard is an important man in the Banco’s economy. But this of course does not detract from the merits of one Varese who will then have to “register” something, seen the last 10 ‘in apnea.
To the red and white, arrived at 30 ‘with 15 points of advantage after a feat of Ferrero, they suffered from the classic “arm” making several choices wrong in attack and allowing Robinson and associates to even go back to -3. Then she thought about it Brown, man of experience, inventing the decisive 3-point sling to put things back in place, while Ross found a couple of winning serpentines. The best was Jaron Johnson anyway with the first “double double” of the season, 20 points and 10 rebounds: in this fundamental, feared, Varese in the end lost the comparison but not in a striking way. For the judgments to individuals, we refer you to the report cards, but in addition to the aforementioned Caruso, they are Ferrero and De Nicolao also liked – and a lot – too among the Italians. Now down with the next one: the game is already on Saturday on the Brescia pitch, beaten by a single point in Milan. Another carousel that is anything but simple, another challenge to be taken head on.
TWO BALL
The faces of Varese’s heroes scroll on the big screens before the match, but the one on which everyone applauds strongly belongs to Bruno Arena, thus honored by the company that the “Fico” loved and also remembered by a banner in the Curva Nord. In a Masnago back full and intrigued by the new Openjobmetis, it is Bucchi to have the biggest problems training: in addition to Treier, Devecchi and Chessa must give up Stefano Gentile. Brase keeps Reyes seated in the first quintet, he inserts Woldetensae and places Johnson next to the Owens pivot, immediately opposite the Onuaku totem.
Brase, good first: “An incredible atmosphere in Masnago, won thanks to the fans”
THE MATCH
Q1 – Starting from icy hands; Varese does not unlock and remains at 4 for a long time, Sassari does little better and tries a miniallungo but when Brase begins to change – inside Caruso and De Nicolao – the hosts do better. Johnson’s first rings, a triple from Ferrero and 5 points from Denik (with a triple on the siren) are worth the first real advantage, 23-17.
Q2 – At the resumption of the game, however, Varese does not start well and indeed concedes a partial that extends up to 0-10 for Dinamo with Onuaku protagonist in attack. Brase loses Owens with the third foul but the super-low quintet of the white and red coach holds the position. Ross is finally seen, up to that point off target: two play-offs give life to the OJM which is then literally dragged by Johnson (7 in a row) to the new mid-race advantage, 41-38.
Q3 – After the break we see the best version of Varese: bold but also careful behind and precise in turning the ball and hitting. Ross raises the number of shots, Caruso holds up and replies to Onuaku, we see a flash of Reyes primed by the point guard while Sassari appears a bit short of ideas, with a strangely unproductive Bendzius and the Dowe-Jones couple a little lost . OJM understands that the moment is propitious and ends well with De Nicolao and with Ferrero’s prowess on the siren for 70-55.
Jaron Johnson does not discount: points and rebounds but also the guard to Bendzius
THE END
A +15 which, however, is not a sentence and the red and white fans realize it immediately. Varese manages the first 3-4 possessions badly, Sassari does not immediately take advantage of it but then is shaken by a triple from Robinson for the new -10. Shortly after a questionable referee decision gives a good basket on an Owens interference that seems not to be there and the Banco takes new strength also because Bendzius now makes the basket. Ross and Owens shake the OJM as well as Onuaku’s fifth foul, but two bad turnovers and the subsequent counter-attacks by Diop and Kruslin are even worth -3, 78-75. At that point, however, Markell Brown pulls out the shot of the champion: triple without fear and new +6 which is not a policy but almost since the Sardinians are not always precise while Ross still has a basket to put: 87-81, he closes in beauty.
OPENJOBMETIS VARESE – BANCO SARDEGNA SASSARI 87-81
(23-17, 41-38; 70-55) VARESE: Ross 15 (4-10, 2-5), Brown 14 (4-6, 2-4), Woldetensae (0-2, 0-3), Johnson 20 (4-6, 3-6), Owens 8 ( 3-5, 0-1); De Nicolao 9 (1-1, 2-5), Reyes 4 (2-5, 0-1), Ferrero 7 (0-1, 2-4), Caruso 10 (4-6). Ne: Zhao, Virginio. Herds Brase.
SASSARI: Robinson 18 (6-8, 2-5), Kruslin 10 (1-5, 2-5), Jones 4 (2-4, 0-1), Bendzius 13 (2-5, 2-8), Onuaku 17 (7-13); Dowe 6 (1-6, 1-2), Raspino (0-1), Diop 13 (6-10). Ne: Pisano, Piredda, Gandini, Gentile. Herds Bucchi.
REFEREES: Lanzarini, Percivalle, Lanzani.
NOTE. From 2: V 22-42, S 25-52. From 3: V 10-29, S 7-21. Tl: V 13-19, S 10-13. Rebounds: V 36 (9 off., Johnson 10), S 44 (15 off., Onuaku 12). Assist: W 20 (Ross 6), W 24 (Dowe, Bendzius 6). Lost: V 15 (Ross 4), S 18 (Kruslin, Onuaku 5). Retrieved: V 11 (4 with 2), S 9 (3 with 2). Exit 5 fouls: Onuaku. F. technicians: Bucchi (15.13), Woldetensae (17.00), Bendzius (38.55).