The premiere day of HLAAlicante has finally arrived. Alicante team will face Alega Cantabria, the only team to win all friendly games this Friday at 20:30 in Torrelavega. Rafa Monclova makes his debut on the Lucentino bench in an official match with very clear ideas. He wants to be a “leading” team in a category where Lucentum has raised the bar this year with very high-budget teams. With three matches in nine days, the start is very difficult: Cantabria and Cáceres are away and this Tuesday (20.45) against Albacete in the Technification Center for the first time in front of Alicante fans.

How did the team reach this first day of LEBOro?

The truth is, preseasons can be long because there’s so much work, you don’t have the genes to compete officially. We are all very excited with the nerves of the previous one, but I think the team is good, we are all there, the later ones are getting into the dynamic. We are excited and eager to acknowledge all the work we are doing and can always be improved, but overall I am happy.

How important is it to start with a win?

A victory always has a more positive impact when it comes to facing the next game, calling the fans, clearing some doubts… At Torrelavega we know that winning will be an important reward for people and players to gain more confidence. and more positivity. The team will do everything possible to bring a victory that tells us we are on the right track.

What kind of opponent are you waiting for?

I expect a very tough opponent in the pre-season. They did not lose any matches and were able to beat teams like Oviedo, Burgos or Bilbao. He maintains his block from last year and this gives him a certain advantage in adapting to the pre-season and the season. There are a lot of players who know each other, and it’s much easier for us to start that way, as each one comes from a different place. This is not an excuse, it’s fact. From there, I want us to get the seal we want to have, and that gives us sufficient guarantee. It’s a nice game to play and get things done the way they should.

Is there a deadline for all the pieces to fit together?

There is no time here. Time is measured in each match, we will try to improve every day. You have to go to Torrelavega to win.

The season starts with almost three games a week…

It’s always an open debate, there’s a lot of time between one season and the next, and now we’re playing three games in a row. The calendar is like this for everyone, the ideal would be the other because soon we will have long hours on the bus but this happens to everyone and we have to work and work under all circumstances.

Winning the first game at Torrelavega will give us an important boost to gain confidence.

How’s the latest Delaney Blaylock?

He’s only had four or five practices with the team and is trying to keep up physically. He’s worked hard in the United States, but it’s not the same as doing it with his colleagues. It needs a physical adaptation process, then the team and our demands and systems. Expectations from him are very high and we believe that he can be a determining factor for us. We brought him this idea and he will help us in Torrelavega.

Blaylock will try to help us, but he still needs an adaptation period to be stable.

Are all the players physically well?

Everyone is fine, even though we had a pre-season with many shocks. Edu Gatell has been gone for a few weeks, but I think we managed to arrive in the best possible conditions. We are all ready to face the first game of the season.

Are Burgos and Andorra the biggest favorites in this league?

Yes, it’s a very exciting category. There are teams with ACB classics playing in European competition until recently. If you add Coruña, San Sebastián, Palencia, Valladolid… We can talk about 8 or 10 teams, these teams may be competing in the playoffs with their a priori names. It’s a compelling competition, everyone is excited about the possibility of watching high-level games every weekend, and we want to be the leading player of this league. There are very important names and budgets, but we have formed a very competitive team. We want to be a prominent part of this league on a positive level, and I hope we grow stronger every day with the idea that beyond super-good players, it’s all about building a hungry team. and enthusiasm. As in the final match of Lliga Valenciana, we want our fans to come and see us with enthusiasm. With the support of the stands, we took a step and won. We have very clear goals.