Nothing beats the thrill of being in the playoff picture for a shot at promotion to the ACB. In this climactic phase, the focus sharpens and every effort is directed toward a shared, glorious objective. HL Alicante faces Zunder Palencia in a head-to-head series of five games, a formidable test among the eight teams contending for advancement. The series opens this Friday at 21:00, continues on Sunday, and returns to Palencia the following Friday, keeping the battle alive in Alicante as well.
Dating back to the start of the season, Lucentum Alicante has pursued its ambitions with determination, driven by a clear mission: win decisive matches and push toward the Technician Center with confidence. After months of sustained work, this moment marks a turn toward seriousness. While the team has faced stretches of inconsistency, Rafael Monclova’s squad has frequently sat among the league’s top nine, with recent results marked by a tougher run that included more losses than wins. Some of the team’s struggles have been linked to injuries and players fighting through fatigue. Yet the core group, including key contributors Matulionis and McDonell, remains essential to HLA Alicante’s plans.
Zunder Palencia finished the regular season as runner-up and captured the Princess Cup, establishing itself as a thorny opponent. Pedro Rivero’s squad features three players averaging double figures per game: Alec Wintering leads the way with about 12.1 points per game, with Devin Schmidt and Tanner McGrew providing steady support as secondary scoring options. Palencia’s MVP, former HLA Alicante guard Cumi Ortega, adds significant value with averages around 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, contributing a 14.4-point valuation that underscores his impact. Ortega’s performance has helped define Palencia’s offense and added a layer of complexity for HLA to solve. [citation: Palencia team statistics and MVP performance, attributed to team reports.]
Monclova: “We’re going to Palencia with the idea of winning and scaring them”
Caesar Hernandez
HLA Alicante is set to challenge Palencia, aiming to break an undefeated streak that Palencia has maintained at home in the season’s end. Rivero’s team has won all 17 regular-season home games and claimed the Princess Cup, and they have not lost at home to HLA Alicante since May 13, 2022. The last trip to Palencia featured a different Alicante side traveling as a squad, facing injuries and some lineup changes. The Friday contest will be broadcast at 21:00 on Alacantí TV and LaLigaSports TV, offering fans a chance to witness how these teams match up on the biggest stage of the season. [citation: broadcast schedules provided by network partners.]
HLA Alicante rewards subscribers and “play-off” against Zunder Palencia
Caesar Hernandez
“Palencia is a strong unit with a superb coach. They are battling for direct promotion, and any moment in the game could turn on a few crucial plays,” Monclova reflected before heading to Palencia. He stressed that his team must seize the moment and deliver a sustained push in the fourth and fifth quarters if needed. The coach emphasized that Alicante’s game plan must stay flexible, focused, and relentless, while minimizing Palencia’s opportunities to capitalize on sequence plays. The team expects a challenging test and acknowledges the emotional climate at the venue, where pressure and expectations will loom large. Monclova’s words conveyed both confidence and resolve as the squad prepares to take the floor against a proven opponent, with a realization that the result could hinge on a handful of decisive moments across the two venues. [citation: post-practice remarks and press conference summaries.]