This Saturday at 19:00, HLAAlicante aims to notch a tenth win of the season as it faces Amics Castelló, a team that has endured a choppier campaign under coach Pedro Ferrándiz. Alicante’s goal is clear: secure victory in the final game of the first round and put a rough night against Betis behind them. After a shaky closing quarter in Sevilla, the club is determined not to repeat that performance and hopes to regain the robust form that has defined much of the season. Castelló arrives in Alicante hoping to snap a eight-game skid and shift momentum in their favor against a top-side that has shown resilience at home.
Lucentum sits in eighth place, two wins ahead of Melilla, the first team on the outside of the playoff zone. A win for the Alicante club would push them further up the standings and reinforce their position among the top contenders this season. The stakes are high, and every possession will matter as the season advances.
In line with the goal of climbing the table, Juan Antonio Orenga and his staff are focused on pulling clear of the relegation zone, needing just four more wins to feel secure. Amics Castelló carries its own pressure, having endured eight consecutive losses; they will look to turn that trend around in this match, returning to a path of consistency and confidence in Alicante.
HLA Alicante will push to sustain the momentum it has built at home, continuing a streak of strong performances that keep the club in competition for the lead. Castelló added Viny Okouo to strengthen their frontcourt last week. The young center from Unicaja brings added presence inside and aligns Castelló’s style with a more dynamic interior game. Okouo’s journey spans a long career in European competitions, including time in the ACB, and now he joins Castelló to help reinforce the team’s domestic challenge.
This will be the second meeting between HLA Alicante and Amics Castelló this season, following the Alicante side’s win in the Lliga Valenciana final back in September with a score of 85-77. That result set a tone for the season and underscored the competitiveness between these two clubs. The upcoming clash promises to be another tightly contested affair, with both squads aware that every mistake could be costly as the season advances and the standings tighten. The crowd can expect a high-energy atmosphere, a reflection of the importance of this matchup for both teams as they aim to maximize their performance in front of supportive fans.
Analysts and fans alike anticipate a strong showing from Pedro Ferrándiz’s side, recognizing the need to start strong and maintain a steady level of execution throughout the match. Coach Pérez Caínzos is acutely aware of the pressure to win after the Sevilla defeat and has emphasized disciplined preparation. The team has trained throughout the week with a clear focus on tightening defense, improving ball movement, and capitalizing on transition opportunities to challenge for victory this Saturday. The fixture is deemed vitally important not only for the immediate results but also for the broader trajectory of both clubs as the season nears its midpoint and teams jockey for favorable seedings and playoff positioning.