Lucentum opened the year with a disappointing loss in Seville, unable to match a Betis side that showed greater firepower in attack. The Alicante outfit remained in the game for long stretches, fuelled by a standout performance from Davison who kept his team afloat through much of the match. As the minutes ticked away, HLA found few alternatives in offense and were overwhelmed by a searing Betis attack. The clash quickly evolved into a disorganized duel in which Betis demonstrated their homegrown momentum, while Lucentum struggled to connect points in key moments. By the final quarter, Betis surged ahead and Davison could not find the necessary support to stage a comeback, sealing a bitter, yet earned victory for the hosts.
From the opening whistle, HLA Alicante faced an emotionally charged atmosphere in Seville, bolstered by a loyal and passionate home crowd. A early shock arrived when Betis opened the scoring with a triple from Faggiano in the first four minutes. Betis followed with four consecutive three-pointers that unsettled Lucentum’s defensive setup, escalating the score to 22-16. Gudmundsson and Harris then stemmed the tide, slowing the Alicante offense, and the first period finished with Betis ahead at 27-24. The initial ten minutes resembled a high-energy sprint, two teams trading inspiration as the pace intensified.
HLA Alicante pursues a tenth win in Seville
Two quick three-pointers by Harris kept HLA within reach, but the visitors endured a stern test as the second period began. Lucentum entered the quarter with more focus and discipline, yet the offense struggled to penetrate Betis’ defense. The hosts widened the gap to 41-32 early in the frame, and Pérez Caínzos’ squad found it difficult to steady the ship. Betis showcased relentless shooting, while Lucentum failed to capitalize on opportunities around the rim. Davison did his part with rebounds and assists, but scoring remained scarce for the visitors as the half concluded at 48-41 in favor of Betis. Polanco, Faggiano, and Rodríguez converted efficiently, underscoring Betis’ edge in shooting efficiency while Lucentum searched for a counterpunch to slow the momentum.
In the third period, Lucentum tightened their defense and Betis did not falter in attack. Davison at times sparked the comeback, and the game grew tense with a 53-51 score. Rodríguez and Harris knocked down triples as Lucentum found their rhythm, momentarily seizing the advantage at 64-67 after a sequence of decisive plays by Davison and Adrià Rodríguez. The teams traded blows as the third quarter advanced, leaving the scoreboard at 65-67 and the sense that the match might tilt in the final period. The late stages of the third frame cemented a belief that a decisive run could swing the result, a belief that would be tested in the last quarter.
What a Japanese temple predicted for Lucentum
As the match moved toward a dramatic finish, Davison delivered a surge of individual inspiration, but Betis responded with a 7-0 run that captured the moment and placed Lucentum on the back foot with six minutes to play (80-73). The Sevillian side pressed the tempo with additional three-pointers but could not sustain the stretch, and Lucentum clung to hope. Davison remained the focal point for the Alicante attack, yet the team struggled to assemble a cohesive late rally. Betis stretched the margin to 86-76 with just under three minutes left, leaving Lucentum with a difficult hill to climb. The final minutes unfolded as a strenuous testament to Betis’ control, while Lucentum faced a disheartening collapse in the fourth quarter. The sense of disorder lingered for the visitors as the game concluded, a tough outcome that reflected the credit Betis deserved for their late dominance. The match closed with Lucentum unable to reverse the tide, marking a bitter but fair result for the Seville squad. [citation]