HLA Alicante secured its seventh win in a row, this time against a visibly overmatched Menorca that folded early in the third period. From the opening tip, Lucentum controlled the pace and tempo, with Kostadinov’s agile movement, Adrià Rodríguez’s precise decision-making, and Barro’s physical presence inside the paint setting the tone. The game didn’t sparkle in the eye, but it offered a clear demonstration of dominance: a superior team executing its plan with efficiency and confidence while the opponent struggled to dent the margin. In the end, HLA walked away with a routine victory that serves as a reassuring boost ahead of the upcoming clash with San Pablo Burgos on the weekend.
Kostadinov and Barro set the tone early, shaping the opening exchanges as Menorca attempted to find its footing. The scoreline tilted quickly in favor of the hosts, who opened with a controlled 4-11 surge that caught the visitors off guard. Menorca’s defense did force some errors and created openings, yet HLA’s reliable trio of outside shooters kept the scoreboard ticking. Kostadinov, in particular, imposed his will by racking up eight points in the first stretch, while Lucentum maintained a clear visual identity with a crisp, balanced approach on offense that yielded a 14-23 advantage after a quarter.
The pattern persisted as the first half unfolded: Lucentum remained secure, refusing to let any momentum slip away. The home team showed remarkable composure even when Menorca pressed early and often, a response coach Pérez Caínzos needed after a brief lull when HLA couldn’t quite find its rhythm (19-25). The timeout did its job; a quick 3-7 run followed, restoring and even widening the lead to 22-32. Menorca’s reliance on long-range shooting kept them within sight, but Lucentum answered with a penetrating presence around the basket and effective ball movement that allowed the home side to dictate terms. By halftime, Lucentum carried its largest lead of the night, 25-38, powered by Kostadinov’s 12 points, six rebounds, and a highly efficient performance that underscored the team’s readiness for the second half.
In the third period, the game drifted toward a conclusion. A quick three-pointer by Adrià Rodríguez followed by a fast break extended the advantage to 17 points (25-42), and the contest soon felt all but decided as Menorca appeared overwhelmed by a much stronger opponent. Lucentum continued to execute with precision, leveraging a deep rotation and steady defense to stifle any meaningful response. Adrià Rodríguez distinguished himself with smart, high-quality touches, showing off the technical polish and court sense that made him a constant threat. As the minutes clicked by, the Alicante side extended its lead with minimal effort, leaving little doubt about the final result and cementing the impression of a one-sided affair in which Menorca could not translate its competitiveness into a meaningful challenge.
The closing quarter offered little drama. With the game effectively decided, Lucentum subdued any late resistance, maintaining a consistent cushion around 20 points. Menorca, already resigned to the outcome, limited its ambitions to minimizing further damage and preserving some dignity in a matchup that was unfavorable on every line. The Alicante outfit, by contrast, looked cohesive and purposeful, capitalizing on transition opportunities and maintaining a disciplined defensive stance that kept the visitors from launching a late rally. The overall performance reinforced Lucentum’s status as a confident, capable side that can rely on multiple contributors and a clear strategic identity when facing teams of varying threat levels.