HLA Alicante travels to Melilla this Sunday (12.15) to challenge Melilla Sports Capital at the Javier Imbroda Pavilion in the Autonomous City. The Alicante club aims to notch a victory that would push their record to three wins and three losses, keeping them firmly in the mix as the season unfolds. Melilla, coached by Rafa Monclova, formerly at Lucientino, is determined to secure their second win of the campaign on their home court at Javier Imbroda.
Monclova’s squad opened their visit to Menorca with a win but then endured four straight defeats. Their most recent game, last Wednesday in Lleida at Barris Nord, ended 96-62 in favor of their opponents. The Melilla group will look to recover and start a positive run that lifts them into the upper-mid portion of the standings as they head toward the second part of the schedule.
HLA Alicante, on the other hand, will seek a victory that would extend a remarkable streak of unbeaten play against Melilla in recent seasons. The club has not tasted defeat in this series for four straight campaigns. In last season’s clash, Alicante won decisively 70-88 on Melilla’s court. Looking ahead to the match, Antonio Pérez could return to action alongside Adrià Rodríguez, who has been managing a recent period of rest due to a minor injury and is nearing full fitness to rejoin coach Lucientino’s rotation.
Melilla Baloncesto relies on Marc-Edy Norelia as the leading scorer and a key internal reference, averaging strong numbers with 13.6 points and a notable rebounding presence. His all-around impact helps set the tone for Monclova’s offense as the team seeks sharper production from the perimeter and better interior defense. In Melilla’s rotation, Guillem Arcos stands out as a young guard with 9.6 points, 3 assists, and about 22 minutes per game, providing energy and playmaking depth that can spark balanced scoring across the lineup. The upcoming clash represents an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate resilience and strategic adjustment as the season progresses, with fans expecting a competitive battle at the Spanish Atlantic edge of the league, underlining the tactical chess match between the two coaches and their staffs. [Citation: League archives and team reports]