Earn or take a vacation. HLAC Alicante must beat Palencia this Friday at 20:45 at Pedro Ferrándiz to force a fourth game in the series. The contest will be played again in Alicante on Sunday at 18:00. To avoid ending the season, Pedro Rivero’s squad needs to rebound after two losses in Palencia. A strong response would reshape the Lucentum image and extend the campaign by at least one more game.
Again with the weight of expectation, Lucentum will enjoy the home-court advantage in Alicante, supported by the crowd in what should be the most charged matchup of the season. If the hosts show the heart that their fans remember, they can turn the tide against a Palencia side that has controlled the series in the opening games, especially the first where the visitors looked sharper with key shots from Wintering. The second game left a lingering sting, as the Palencia veteran Schmidt connected seven three-pointers and rewired the balance of momentum.
Lucentum must shore up its defense while sharpening its offense to counter Palencia’s precise rhythm. Palencia arrives intent on clinching the series and securing a spot in the Final Four, so every possession will matter. Rivero, Chumi Ortega, and Schmidt recognize the familiarity of Pedro Ferrándiz in Alicante and know how to leverage the arena’s energy. Monclova has his own read on the situation, believing that HLAC can push Palencia, especially since the second game showed clear stretches where the visitors could be contained with disciplined defense and quick transitions. “We know the night will be tough, but we also know our fans will lift us. We want to play Sunday and the team will leave everything on the floor to stay alive in the series,” he said, signaling the collective resolve of the squad.
Beyond the court drama, the club is offering an appealing incentive for subscribers: two tickets at a 50 percent discount, along with a playoff “play off” token. The strategy aims to fill the Modernization Center with a sea of supporters, creating the kind of home-court push that can swing a pivotal playoff night. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as the team tries to force a decisive fourth game, with Palencia pressing to close the series and move closer to the Final Four, while Lucentum leans on faith in its fans and a renewed tactical plan to keep its postseason hopes alive.