# Repesa Spoil PalaEur Return as Napoli Basket Outclass Maxima Roma 94-75 in LBA Opener

**By Jordan Wells**  \nPublished September 28, 2026  \nUpdated September 28, 2026

> Jasmin Repesa marked his return to the PalaEur by guiding Napoli Basket to an emphatic 94-75 road victory over newly formed Maxima Roma on the opening night of the 2026/27 LBA Serie A season.

When top-tier Serie A basketball returned to the PalaEur after nearly six years of absence, the homecoming belonged not to Rome’s newly minted franchise, but to a familiar villain on the visitors' bench. Jasmin Repesa, who helmed Virtus Roma two decades ago between 2006 and 2008, oversaw a total tactical dismantling on Sunday as Napoli Basket crushed Maxima Roma 94-75 in the opening round of the 2026/27 LBA Serie A season.

The 65-year-old Croatian strategist neutralised Maxima Roma’s initial emotional burst before asserting complete high-tempo dominance. Armed with summer blockbuster signing Jahmi'us Ramsey—the league's reigning top scorer—Napoli imposed an overwhelming offensive rhythm early, consistently beating Matteo Cotelli’s defense downcourt and seizing full control of the interior pipeline.

## PalaEur Premiere Dampened by High-Tempo Reality Check

For Maxima Roma, the inaugural match of their top-flight existence carried massive symbolic weight. Sharing the city's basketball revival alongside BC Roma—who suffered their own opening setback in Treviso a day earlier—Maxima entered the PalaEur seeking immediate legitimacy before their upcoming debut in EuroCup competition. However, the capital side lacked both operational sharpness and crucial off-court presence. Newly appointed club advisor Francesco Totti was absent from the VIP seats, having flown to the United States to celebrate his 50th birthday.

On the hardwood, the disparity in floor leadership and tactical maturity proved stark. While Cotelli attempted to steady his squad through mid-court adjustments, Napoli’s transition engine never stalled. The officiating crew of Manuel Attard, Fabrizio Paglialunga, and Antonio Bartolomeo kept a strict whistle, but Napoli’s backcourt depth continuously forced late rotations, drawing high-value contact and converting defensive rebounds into early-clock rim attacks.

> We are proud of how this team was built. We believe firmly in our players and coaching staff, stated Napoli Basket General Manager James Laughlin ahead of tip-off. We are aware that the level of Serie A has risen, with many clubs committed to international cups and making major investments. There are no easy games... We want to represent this city and the Neapolitan people with grit and determination from the first to the last tip-off of the season.

Laughlin’s pre-game stance was validated across 40 dominant minutes. Napoli translated aggressive ball pressure into effortless scoring opportunities, making a decisive statement for a club eyeing both top-eight LBA seeding and a deep run in the EuroCup.

## Opening Weekend Scoreboard and Standings Landscape

Napoli's 19-point statement in the capital was mirrored across Italy as the 105th edition of the Italian top flight burst into action over the final weekend of September.

captionthMatchupthVenuethFinal Scoretd>Maxima Roma vs. Napoli Baskettd>PalaEurtd>75 - 94td>Varese vs. Virtus Bolognatd>Masnagotd>69 - 90td>Tezenis Verona vs. Bertram Derthonatd>Nova Arenatd>93 - 101td>APU Udine vs. Scafati Baskettd>PalaCarneratd> Udine Win (Uncontested lead by HT)td>Fortitudo Bologna vs. Ruvo di Pugliatd>PalaDozzatd>92 - 70At Masnago, Virtus Bologna brushed aside early jetlag following their EuroLeague debut against Fenerbahce in Istanbul. The *V Nere* pulled away after a competitive opening frame to dispatch Varese 90-69 behind relentless secondary transition unit play.

Meanwhile, at the Nova Arena, Bertram Derthona survived an offensive shootout against Tezenis Verona, taking a 101-93 away win despite 19 points from Verona's Mike Tobey. Both squads fought through depleted rosters, with Verona missing Izaiah Brockington and Andrew due to late physical setbacks.

In Udine, APU Udine systematically dismantled newly promoted Scafati Basket at the PalaCarnera, establishing an unassailable advantage before halftime that left Scafati head coach Piero Bucchi lamenting his group's sluggish opening approach during post-game press duties. At the PalaDozza, Fortitudo Bologna overcame an extraordinarily difficult start to overcome Ruvo di Puglia 92-70.

## EuroCup Fixtures and Tactical Outlook

For both Repesa and Cotelli, the domestic opener represents merely the first leg of a grueling, high-density campaign. With both Napoli and Maxima Roma slated to represent Italian basketball on the continental stage in the EuroCup starting midweek, squad rotation and load management will instantly dictate their standings trajectory.

Cotelli must urgently fix Maxima's defensive transition transition mechanics. When opponents drag Roma’s big men away from the glass, their perimeter recovery lacks lateral speed—a vulnerability Repesa exposed repeatedly through quick hit-ahead passes and dribble-drive kickouts. If Roma cannot shore up their defensive shell, European competition will prove equally unforgiving.

Conversely, Napoli leaves Rome with verified momentum, looking like a cohesive unit primed to contend for a Final Eight spot in the Coppa Italia. Broadcast live domestically via Sky Sport Basket and LBA TV—and internationally on YouTube for North American audiences—Napoli’s execution laid down a clear marker: Repesa’s roster possesses both the pace and structural punch to disrupt the LBA hierarchy.

## Sources

- [pianetabasket.com](https://www.pianetabasket.com/legabasket-serie-a/lba-serie-a-202627-la-programmazione-tv-delle-prime-5-giornate) — original
- [ilnapolista.it](https://www.ilnapolista.it/2026/09/napoli-basket-si-parte-domani-la-prima-contro-la-maxima-roma/) — original
- [sport.sky.it](https://sport.sky.it/basket/serie-a/2026/09/27/maxima-roma-napoli-dove-vedere-tv-streaming) — original
- [corrieredellosport.it](https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/basket/maxima-roma/2026/09/27-151499750/maxima_roma-napoli_basketball_di_serie_a_orario_dove_vederla_in_tv_e_in_streaming) — original