Lucentum faced a tough setback after a disappointing loss to Gipuzkoa, a game that turned into a tough teaching moment for Yaworski and his squad. They were edged by 15 in one half and by 14 in the other, and the clock ran down to the final seconds with a chance to force overtime slipping away as the team mismanaged the last attack. The defeat stung, and the result left them just outside the win column when looked at in a playoff context.
At this point, HLA can only dream of finishing ninth with one day to go. Two paths remain to reach the post-season: they must either upset TAU Castelló in Oviedo on Saturday or win their Friday game against Castellón. Anything short of one of these outcomes would end Lucentum’s hopes of climbing into the promotion playoffs.
HLA played with intensity from start to finish on a night that tested nerves and strategy alike. The audience watched as the home team kept the pressure on, only to see a Palencia-led surge push the game into a critical moment if their opponents faltered.
The match opened with Lucentum connecting on four of five three-pointers in the early minutes, signaling an aggressive pace. Jaworski and Ander Martínez sparked the offense, while Monclova found rhythm mid-quarter. Gipuzkoa’s defense tightened as the period wore on, and the visitors carried a 28-22 lead into the second frame after a first quarter that warned of what lay ahead for the Alicante side.
Two timely three-pointers from Berg and Rakovecic gave Lucentum a lift, but defensive mistakes kept Gipuzkoa ahead. The visiting side stretched their advantage to 13 points as the quarter moved forward, entering the second period with a 32-45 scoreline and a tale of a defense that hadn’t clicked yet.
Yet the game swung on a moment, and Lucentum found its footing. Capitalizing on Gipuzkoa’s missteps, the home team rolled into a 7-0 burst and then surged with an 18-4 run that erased the deficit and tipped the balance in Alicante’s favor. Steinarsson stood out in the second quarter, finishing with a dozen points, six assists, and a remarkable 16 efficiency rating by halftime.
The start of the third quarter brought a shift in momentum. Gipuzkoa answered with an 0-11 run, prompting a time-out and a cautious tone from the Alicante bench. The pause seemed to slow the pace, but Gipuzkoa continued to push, rebuilding a lead and forcing Lucentum to chase again. With only four minutes elapsed, Lucentum found themselves behind by ten, and the period ended with Gipuzkoa maintaining a 52-65 advantage and a sense that the game remained within reach for the home side.
The narrative remained tense in the late stages as Gipuzkoa extended the margin to as many as 15 points. Lucentum’s defense tightened, and offensive boards offered fresh life. A late surge featured Parrado and McDonnell hitting triples that sparked a 9-1 run, drawing the team within striking distance and reshaping the psychology of the match. The score still favored Gipuzkoa, but the game had transformed into a closer, heart-pounding contest.
With three minutes left, the score stood at 70-77. Pedro Ferrándiz Arena roared as Matulionis answered with a crucial three, restoring a sense of urgency for the visitors and heightening the drama. A defensive stop and a late free throw sequence stretched the tally to 77-78 with seconds remaining. A final attempt to force overtime or seal a late win faced a thwarted possession when Blaylock misdirected the final entry, sealing a hard-fought defeat for Lucentum.
The night left Lucentum with a harsh reminder of the margins that separate playoff dreams from the rest of the season. The upcoming clash against Oviedo-TAU Castelló on Saturday carries extra weight, a must-win scenario that could redefine their postseason fate.