The season opener for HLAAlicante left a sour taste in the mouths of fans. The Lucentum squad entered Torrelavega hoping to start strong, but misreads on offense and a rough night at the free-throw line set the tone for a difficult result. Only six of eighteen attempts from the charity stripe found the bottom of the net, while the opponent connected on 24 of 35 free throws, widening the margin and sealing the outcome early on.
Beyond the box score, Lucentum showed bursts of competitiveness but failed to sustain them. Parrado and Chapela emerged as the top scorers, while Blaylock continues to seek the form that convinced the club to sign him. Despite periods of solid play, the Monclova side appeared to fade in crucial stretches, and Cantabria’s disciplined defense snuffed out Lugo’s late adjustments.
Steinarsson did not meet expectations in his official HLA debut. The Icelandic guard looked distant from teammate Chapela, as four players were unavailable in attack and decision-making tended to wobble at important moments.
HLAAlicante delivered a strong start at the season opener, showing solid ball movement and early advantages. However, the final minutes of the second period turned sour, as the team surrendered an 8-0 burst and allowed Cantabria to regain momentum. The new Lucentum lineup began with good distribution and controlled play for much of the first twenty minutes, but the quality deteriorated as errors crept in and Cantabria built confidence through their attacking trio. Free-throw troubles for Lucentum were costly, with a perfect opponent showing 14 of 14 from the line, allowing Cantabria to carry a narrow edge into the break (38-34). Lucentinos found a spark in Parrado and Guillem, and a clean counterattack from McDonnell helped Chapela briefly extend the lead. After the break, Lucentum struggled to generate offense and frequently looked to the centers in tough situations, while Cantabria seized opportunities and turned a late run into defensive stability. Guillem led HLA with seven points in the first half, and three personal fouls limited Blaylock’s minutes.
HLA Alicante sets the pace against Cantabria in a tight bout
The Alicante squad carried momentum out of the locker room only to discover Cantabria’s defense holding steady and the visitors diving into a 17-4 run to seize a 47-38 lead. Monclova paused the game to curb the onslaught and regroup. The hosts fought back with a spurt of five straight points from Stop and a defensive intensity that tightened the gap. The match swung on a late third-quarter decision, ending with a 50-48 score in favor of the home side as the period closed. Parrado’s leadership and Chapela’s execution, combined with a critical counterattack sequence by a Lucentino, kept the score remarkably close.
Disaster struck Lucentum early in the final period as Cantabria’s persistent offensive pressure paid off and Lucentum was slow to respond. The game intensified, with missteps on both sides and a tense finish that culminated in a late exchange of blows. Walter Jr. delivered a timely triple for Exlucentino, signaling a shift in momentum and keeping Cantabria in front as the clock wound down.
“HLA Alicante aims to be a standout in a highly competitive league”
The match entered the final three minutes with a one-possession differential, and free-throw accuracy continued to determine the fate of the contest. An unfortunate stretch at the line by HLA turned the tide and Cantabria cashed in on a decisive basket in the late seconds. The final margin reflected a hard-fought battle that swung on a few key plays and missed opportunities for Lucentum.
Rising from a challenging opening night, Lucentum now has an opportunity to recalibrate ahead of the next test. The team will travel to the Modernization Center for a night game against Albacete, offering a chance to regroup and showcase improved execution under pressure. The early weeks hint at a season where resilience and cohesion will be tested, but the potential for growth remains clear.