Di Pietro’s boys already achieved something big by reaching the playouts. They came back from the dead when everybody thought they were down and buried. Bassano will therefore have a chance to add up to its seven consecutive years in the category as it faces Mantova on the best of three games. The first act will be away on Thursday. Mantova too was in pretty bad shape, but 5 wins in 8 games had them back in it and facing these playouts with the court advantage and as favourites.