(PRIMASPORT) – The wheelchair basketball Serie A returns to last year's top teams. All four of the last playoff semifinalists, including Asinara Waves, won the first round. Reigning Italian champions Unipol Briantea84 Ets won without much difficulty, winning away to Menarini Volpi Rosse Firenze with a resounding 82-47 victory. New signing Andrea Giaretti made an excellent debut for Cantù, opening his season with a 26-point performance; captain Filippo Carossino also excelled, scoring 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
S. Stefano Kos Group, the last Scudetto finalist, had an equally positive start to the season: the team from the Marche region, who had undergone a major resurgence over the summer, immediately secured two points in the standings by defeating Crich Pdm Treviso 71-44 on their home court. Benjamin Moncrieff made an excellent debut with 18 points, while Federico Balsamo also played a decisive role, scoring 12 points and shooting 6/6 from the field.
Dinamo Lab Banco di Sardegna struggled but came from behind to win on the tough Reggio Calabria court, defeating home team Vumbaca 67-62 in what was undoubtedly the most exciting and challenging game of the day. The Calabrian team played a strong second quarter, led by the Clifton-Barbibay duo (combining for 37 points at the final buzzer), but then suffered a comeback in the third quarter. In the final sprint, the visitors prevailed thanks to a career-best performance from young Uras, who scored 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and 8 rebounds. Papi also played well, hitting the decisive free throws in the final quarter.
Asinara Waves E-Ambiente also won, defeating newly promoted Padova Millennium Basket 70 to 49 on the road: the game was virtually over after just 20 minutes for the visitors, who sent five players into double figures, confirming a renewed, deep and very competitive roster.
Deco Amicacci Abruzzo won 54-45 at home against a resurgent SBS Montello. Coach Di Giusto's Abruzzo team took the lead at the end of the first quarter, managing the pace and scoring with confidence, despite numerous roster changes. Big man Greco Brakus got off to a good start (finishing with 11 points), while veteran forward Tanghe also put in a solid performance (15 points). Miceli's 18 points and Sbuelz's double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds weren't enough for the Bergamo team. (PRIMASPORT)
