a day at the races
In a game that swung as tightly as a drum, Lucentum faced a Palencia squad that had just absorbed a costly defeat at the hands of a determined leader. The night carried a sharp edge as Lucentum pressed hard in the final stretch, with Palencia stringing together an 18-2 run that sealed the momentum. The Monclova outfit delivered a remarkable performance, though an injury to Blaylock forced him off the court and altered the rhythm of the game. Rivero’s crew pushed to the limit, applying relentless pressure on the opponent. A late burst of three-pointers from Lucentum momentarily closed the gap, but the sting of a tough defensive front and limited offensive boards kept the comeback at bay. The showdown remained intense until the final horn, with solid shot-blocking and tough rebounding deciding many pivotal moments and testing a resilient Palencia to the end. — Game report attribution
In the early minutes, HLA took the pulse of Palencia with even trading across the scoreboard. Lucentum began slowly from beyond the arc, finishing 0 for 7 on triples, yet the Alicante club still found a way to gain early traction. A Matulionis triple sparked a sharp response, and Rivero’s team began to pull away from Palencia with a 15-10 advantage. Palencia answered with an 11-0 run, climbing to a 15-21 deficit on the board. A Germán Martínez basket from the defense reduced the gap to 18-21 as the first period closed, while Palencia limited Lucentum to a modest start and forced a demanding pace in the opening phase.
Two minutes into the second act, a Matulionis triple and a Chapela basket ignited Lucentum’s momentum, lifting spirits and re-energizing the visitors’ offense. The visitors climbed from 20-26 to 26-28 as Monclova called for time after Palencia wrestled control of the boards and converted extra possessions. Steinarsson delivered a key triple that steadied the flow, and an Icelandic playmaker followed with another from distance to push HLA to its strongest stretch of the half, reaching a peak of 29-37. Palencia sought balance as Wintering took charge and lead remained tight. The Monclova team found a pulse with Gatell’s sharp play and rivering counterpunches from Rivero’s lineup. The half ended with Lucentum pressing back to a 39-42 scoreline, and Gatell delivering nine points and four rebounds with a high PIR, setting a strong tone for the second half. — Game report attribution
The third quarter unfolded with the same ritual: Wintering and his guards trading early shots as Lucentum closed the gap. An 8-2 run forced Monclova to pause as Palencia clung to a 47-44 lead. The match stayed fiercely contested, with Lucentum not letting the home team breathe and Palencia’s defense stouting any significant separation. The pulse of the game remained even as both teams exchanged baskets and showed resilience. Lucentum, spurred by Chapela’s two late triples, pulled within a few possessions and kept the pressure on as the period drew to a close. By the end of the quarter, the scoreline stood at 64-68, with Alicante’s squad inspired by the arena atmosphere and the push from Chapela on back-to-back attempts. — Game report attribution
HLA Alicante visits leader’s pitch
In this chapter of the season, Blaylock’s injury served as a hurdle, but Lucentum refused to fold. The squad kept fighting as Chumi Ortega delivered a crucial three-pointer late in the game. With five minutes left on the clock and Monclova calling a timeout, the balance of momentum tipped in favor of the home team, who closed out the evening victorious at 75-70. The final stretch tested HLA’s resolve as Wintering attempted back-to-back triples to keep hope alive, yet a decisive 18-2 sequence swung the result, and Lucentum’s late triple barrage could not fully erase the deficit. A strong late push hinted at an exciting rematch, with Palencia on the horizon in March. — Game report attribution
March returns with a compelling date against HLA-Burgos, inviting another marquee clash as the league calendar unfolds. The night underscored the grit and tempo that define these teams and left both sides eager for the next battle on the court. — Game report attribution