HL Alicante delivered a solid performance, earning key minutes from its stars and grabbing a valuable win that lifts them two games clear of Cantabria, who sit in tenth. Vital Berg contributed a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and a 27 performance index, Lock added 19 points, and Chapela delivered the decisive triple on a crucial possession. The game showcased a strong offensive depth from Monclova’s roster, but the closing moments featured a frantic sequence with costly errors from both sides against a lower-ranked opponent that nearly turned the result on its head for Alicante.
HLA approached the matchup with a sharpened focus, knowing that any slip would complicate their playoff push after surpassing Cantabria. Monclova started strong, led by Blaylock’s scoring as their primary offensive threat against a Juaristi defense that battled relentlessly and dominated the boards. The opening period favored Lucentum, who built a 9-17 advantage while not overexerting themselves offensively. They translated their rebounding edge into pressure, particularly on Juaristi, and maintained the initiative despite a home crowd inclined to doubt the visitors. The flow of the game suggested a shorter rotation could suffice, but Alicante kept a controlled rhythm and dared the home side to find consistency at the rim.
A strategy moment came when Parrodo protested, allowing Juaristi to inch closer in the second period. Despite modest three-point shooting, a recurring issue for the visitor, the plan seemed robust enough to withstand the stretch. The scoreboard remained tight, with Lucentum clinging to a fragile lead as the teams traded baskets in a game marked by high intensity rather than precision from outside the arc. A four-minute scoreless spell forced Monclova to call a timeout to reset, as the crowd held its breath in a tense spell of basketball where every possession mattered. Chapela ended the drought with a timely shot, and the game shifted into a more physical contest. At halftime, Lucentum led 14 points ahead of Blaylock’s teammates, but the image was far from flawless, as the Basque squad pushed back with renewed vigor in the second period. The feeling inside the arena was that Lucentum needed to sustain a higher level of efficiency to avoid a comeback from their opponent.
HLA Alicante faced a difficult stretch after halftime as Juaristi found their range on the perimeter, leveling the score at 39-39. The Lucentium squad failed to create a decisive separation, and the battle evolved into a tight, grind-it-out affair. With just under three minutes left in the third quarter, Juaristi briefly nudged ahead at 45-44. Rakocevic steadied the visitors, calming the pace and guiding the team through a period when distances closed quickly and errors intensified. The final minutes of the third quarter left a sense of unease, with the score ticking to 50-52 and a sense that either side could seize momentum.
Lucentines awakened in the decisive moments. Matulionis delivered back-to-back triples, providing crucial oxygen to a unit that needed a spark to counterbalance a stubborn opponent. Yet the gap remained narrow, and the game stayed in the balance. Juaristi’s success had complicated HLA’s plans, and with a little over a minute remaining, the game stood at 65-65. Chapela connected from deep to nudge Alicante closer, while Blaylock’s determined contribution kept Lucentum within striking distance, transforming a chaotic finish into a dramatic showdown. The closing seconds saw a controversial moment when a potential basket by Juaristi was ruled invalid by the officials, extinguishing a late rally. The next date features a match against Lleida, and the team faces a pressing need to sharpen its performance and project a more confident image going forward.