The Azzurri suffer from the underdogs and the bad day in three-point shooting (5/30) but in the end they beat Angola 81-67 in the opening match of the World Cup . Over 21,000 spectators at the Philippine Arena for the first match of the group which also includes the Dominican Republic (opponents on Sunday) and the Philippines (played on Tuesday).
The start is for the Africans who take advantage of their athleticism: Italy finishes at -7 before placing a 14-0 break that overturns the match. However, the hands are freezing from the arc of the three points (3/20 in the middle of the match) and so Angola returns loudly inside the area.
Spissu from Sassari does better in assists (he will finish with 7) than in shooting, also Datome, Fontecchio and Polonara miss open shots. Luckily Tonut's penetrations also pay dividends from the line and he's 43-40 at rest.
The balance remains in the third fraction, despite the awakening of Fontecchio in attack. The matcg is solved by Poz with an atypical quintet: the point guard Pajola and 4 wings, Procida, Datome, Ricci and Severini. The defense can change without fear, Procida gives it +8, Ricci repeats it in the 36th minute. Angola never re-emerges.
The tables.
Italy: Spissu 5, Tonut 18, Melli 7, Fontecchio 19, Ricci 12, Spagnolo, Polonara 7, Diouf ne, Severini 3, Procida 2, Pajola 4, Datome 4. All. Pozzecco.
Angola: Francisco 3, Goncalves 7, Domingos 4, Maconda, Dundao 19, Bango 6, Paulo 3, Monteiro 6, Fernandes, Fernando 13, De Sousa 4, Kokila 2. All. Claros.
