VERONA, Italy (Interstat) — A pivotal late-season showdown in the Italy A1 women’s basketball league takes place Sunday, May 17, when Alpo hosts Faenza at Verona.

Alpo (23-9) enters the contest with a two-game lead over Faenza (21-9) in the standings, though the margin is slim in a tightly bunched playoff race. The home team has won three of four meetings between the sides this season, including a 73-59 victory on May 10 in Verona. Faenza, however, responded with a 78-73 home win Wednesday, May 13.

Faenza’s offensive catalyst is forward Lilli Onnela, who averaged 22 points and 7.6 rebounds over her last five games. In the May 13 win over Alpo, Onnela logged 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists in 32 minutes. She also posted 24 points and 7 rebounds in the May 10 loss.

Alpo counters with guard Antonia Peresson, who has been a constant double-double threat. Peresson produced 25 points and 13 rebounds in the May 13 defeat — her third consecutive game with at least 6 rebounds and second straight with double-figure scoring. Over her last six outings, she averaged 15.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.

The series has been physical: Alpo’s 84-79 win March 21 featured a combined 163 points, while the December meeting was a lower-scoring 73-61 Alpo victory. Both teams are coming off successful stretches — Faenza has won five of six, Alpo four of six.

Sunday’s tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time. The outcome could have significant seeding implications as the regular season winds down.