HLA Alicante prepared for a big night this Friday at 20:15 when Pedro Ferrándiz welcomed a refreshed ICG Força Lleida, hoping to push their season toward a second consecutive win. Lucentinos is returning to the Modernization Center to help the team climb into a stronger position as the campaign progresses.
Following its win over Juaristi ISB last Sunday, HLA Alicante hosted ICG Força Lleida in Alicante after the Catalan squad had defeated Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto, marking their fourth straight victory. Gerard Encuentra’s group arrived without Michael Carrera, who has moved on to Liga Endesa’s CB Gran Canaria. Carrera had been among the league’s standout performers, averaging 20.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, contributing a 25.3 valuation on average.
HLA Alicante comes into the matchup with 14 wins and 9 losses, while ICG Força Lleida sits at 16 wins and 7 losses. The Alicante roster is set to include Kadeem Coleby, who could debut against the Catalan side in this crucial midseason test.
Internal reinforcement for Kadeem Coleby, HLA Alicante
Caesar Hernandez
Without Carrera, Juani Marcos stands as ICG Força Lleida’s most impactful player, carrying an average rating around 11.2 credits. HLAAlicante is counting on a loud home crowd as it eyes a playoff push and positions itself for the final stretch of the season. The Monclova-based team aims to sharpen its game plan to counter a rival that recently faced personnel changes and lost their top option from the first half of the season.
The upcoming clash at Barris Nord in November had the locals on the winning side with an 82 to 75 result, a reminder of how evenly matched these teams can be on a big stage. Alicante will be looking to replicate that edge, while Força Lleida will be focused on maintaining momentum and protecting their road record as they head toward the stretch run.
With Carrera out, both teams have emphasized different strengths. Força Lleida leans on collective defense and efficient scoring spreads, while Alicante hopes to maximize the interior presence and create tempo advantages that can swing a close game in their favor. The atmosphere inside the arena is expected to be intense, with supporters fueling a competitive spirit in a contest that could decide positioning as the season nears its final weeks.
As the teams prepare, the coaching staffs analyzer matchups, review recent film, and adjust lineups to exploit each other’s gaps. The crowd can anticipate a methodical battle that tests endurance, symbolic of the high-stakes atmosphere typical of late-season basketball in this league. The overall aim for both sides is clear: secure a win that strengthens playoff prospects and adds a valuable statement to their campaign.