Preview: Derthona Faces Uphill Battle Against Top-Seeded Schio in Serie A1 Women’s Playoff Opener

SCHIO, Italy (Interstat) — The top-seeded Famila Wuber Schio, boasting the league’s best record, will host the eighth-seeded Derthona Basket in Game 1 of their Italy Serie A1 women’s basketball playoff series on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Schio (30-7 across all competitions) enters the postseason as the clear favorite, having won both regular-season meetings against Derthona (14-8). The home team secured a 79-66 victory on Dec. 3, 2025, and a tighter 65-57 win on Feb. 21.

Derthona will rely heavily on forward Pallas Kunaiyi Akpanah, who is coming off a dominant 14-point, 14-rebound double-double in a 76-70 win over San Giovanni on March 25. Support from guards like Cornelia Fondren and Elisa Penna, who combined for 29 points in that victory, will be crucial for the underdogs.

Schio counters with its own formidable frontcourt presence in Marieme Badiane. The forward averaged 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in two late-March wins over Broni, demonstrating consistent efficiency. Schio’s depth and experience are reflected in a roster that has consistently performed against elite competition, including a recent 78-70 road win at San Giovanni.

The playoff format intensifies the challenge for Derthona, which must find a way to win on the road against a Schio team that has been nearly unstoppable at home. Derthona’s path likely requires containing Badiane and Schio’s balanced attack while hoping for another stellar performance from Kunaiyi Akpanah.

Game 2 in the best-of-three series is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, in Derthona.