It wasn’t a heartbreaking ending. The playoff push for home-court advantage continued as HLA Alicante faced Cáceres in a clash decided in the dying moments. Lucentum escaped in the final ten minutes, fending off a stubborn rival that refused to concede. The Alicante squad struggled to answer every push from Cáceres, a team that battled until the final buzzer. Gudmundsson and Davison led the way, while Harris contributed crucial baskets, helping secure win number 12 of the season. A victory of necessity, HLA Alicante delivered when it mattered most.
Overall, the opening minutes were tight. Only a single basket separated the teams in the first stretch. Lucentum produced an impressive burst, with Gudmundsson emerging as the top scorer against a Cáceres side that grew progressively confident as the clock advanced. From 12-16, the score climbed to 21-16 thanks to a strong opening quarter from HLA and Gudmundsson’s sharp play, though the frame finished with a narrow 21-18 margin. Cáceres brought energy to the Pedro Ferrándiz court in the presence of old Lucentum assistant Arturo Álvarez. Davison grabbed an early edge early in the second period, but Cáceres steadied the ship and forced Pérez Caínzos to call a timeout at 28-26 as the momentum shifted. The game remained tightly contested and low-scoring, challenging both teams to find clean looks. Lucentum gradually settled in, benefiting from Cáceres’ rotations and Barro’s minutes. The first half ended with a 39-37 score, underscoring a gritty, balanced battle. It was a rocky encounter for HLA’s offense against the second-to-last foe, and Hamilton posed a significant challenge in the first and second quarters. Harris stepped up with three consecutive triples at just the right moments, keeping HLA ahead, yet Cáceres answered and the half ended in a deadlock at 48-48. It was a game of surges and resilience, fought point by point.
In the moment of truth, Davison rose to the occasion. He opened a window of space and pushed the score to 55-48, prompting Cáceres to call a timeout. The American guard injected inspiration, seeding doubt in Arturo Álvarez’s tactics and dragging HLA clear when the home team seemed to be pulling away. Cáceres responded again as Carreño found the mark from beyond the arc, trimming the gap to 60-58 and reigniting the drama on the Pedro Ferrándiz floor.
The team’s basic kits were revealed at halftime, a small spectacle that highlighted the club’s identity as the match entered its decisive phase. HLA Alicante then steered toward a controlled finish, maintaining momentum as the final frame began. The late push featured Lucentum attaining a clear edge, stepping to 69-58 with Cáceres unable to mount a sustained counterattack. The Alicante side asserted control, managing the pace and patience needed to finish strong. The implication was clear: this was a third consecutive victory for HLA, evidence of growing consistency and growing confidence in their game plan. The squad patiently wore down Cáceres, securing a result that reflected both discipline and resolve as the clock dwindled.
Data sheet
HLA ALICANTE
Serrano (0), Harris (19), Davison (16), Gudmundsson (18); Bercy (4), Balint (2), Gatell (6), Adrià Rodríguez (6), Kostadinov (0), Barro (15), Hook (2).
HEROES
Rodrigo (9), Cepukaitis (1), Atenzia (15), Raittanen (2); Castro (0), Da Silva (12), Gantt (9), Rodríguez García (6), Sigismonti (0), Carreño (6) and Hamilton (13).
PARTIAL SECTIONS 21-18, 18-19, 24-21 and 25-15
Referees: Igor Esteve, Rodrigo Palanca and Jorge Caamaño.
Pavilion: Pedro Ferrándiz.