Fifth consecutive defeat for HLA and farewell to “play-off” (72-68)
The season’s trajectory for Lucentum has been marked by a stubborn struggle to match expectations. Historically known for exceeding targets, the club faced a campaign that fell short of its usual standard. From the opening game, frustration grew among fans as the team struggled to connect with the stands that Pedro Ferrándiz once filled. A few persistent moments offered brief relief, but they were not enough to alter a clear trend of underperforming results.
The season’s misbegotten start set a difficult tone. Announcements in November created discomfort among supporters, clouding the atmosphere at the Lucentum pavilion just as optimism had begun to wane. The anticipated HLA match never materialized despite a strong staff lineup on paper, amplifying the sense that things were off from the outset.
Adding to the disruption, the signing of Justin Pitts unsettled the project. He joined a squad already narrowing its options and accepted a notable offer from Lucentum. Ambition without balance destabilized the roster, creating role ambiguity and a style of play that often felt chaotic. Pitts’ impact on Gonzalo García de Vitoria’s squad was limited, and the season’s momentum slipped away as things went wrong in multiple areas.
Replacing Pedro Rivero proved an uphill battle for Lugo’s coach, whose long track record did not shield him from four straight losses to begin the season. Countless hours were poured into the project, yet the team rarely clicked publicly, with defensive vulnerabilities proving costly as the campaign approached its final stretch. Injuries, illnesses, postponed matches, and opponent strengths compounded the turmoil. A season that already felt forgettable grew more frustrating as mid-season departures removed key components, leaving a sense of imbalance. The team’s attack relied heavily on a few threats, but the overall level did not meet the league’s standard, despite having players with notable reputations. The absence of cohesion and heart in key moments left the squad struggling to find stability.
HLA’s roster, featuring players like Llompart, Van Zegeren, Pilepic, Matulionis, and Jaktas alongside a striker presence, faced a harsh reality: finishing outside the top nine would mark a definitive failure. The combination of injuries and inconsistent performances undermined confidence, and the club could not sustain momentum at crucial junctures. The season’s frustrating arc left the team searching for identity rather than progress, while staff continuity and on-court chemistry remained unsettled.
Within the broader season narrative, the post-Rivero era began under a cloud. The expectation that a playoff birth would come naturally proved unfounded as the squad failed to articulate a clear style or identity. Only isolated stretches in certain games hinted at potential, but those moments were insufficient to counter the overarching impression of a brittle and irregular campaign. The club now faces a pivotal period of reflection and renewal, with discussions about Garcia de Vitoria’s future and Llompart’s continued involvement shaping the roadmap ahead. The gravity of the season’s misses will influence decisions on future leadership and structure, as Lucentum charts a possible path back toward consistency. Three remaining matches against Huesca, Palencia, and Girona will test the team’s resolve. The ultimate aim is to restore pride and reframe the narrative around a club that aspires to compete with dignity in a demanding league.
In the wake of the season’s upheaval, a recognition emerged that changes were needed. A new sporting director, Luis Arbalejo, stepped into the role with a four-season horizon, signaling intent to rebuild the squad thoughtfully. The question of the head coach’s future looms large, with the likelihood that a fresh leadership approach could re-energize the fan base and the locker room alike. The club’s supporters crave a project that aligns with its history of resilience and ambition, and the leadership team appears prepared to pursue that goal. Three concluding fixtures—against Huesca, Palencia, and Girona—stand as a final gauge of the season’s quality. The central task is to recover a sense of purpose and to close the year with dignity, eschewing the mistakes that marked the campaign. The hope remains that a robust staff, combined with a clear, determined approach, can restore the team’s standing in the league and rekindle the shared identity that has long defined Lucentum. The overarching message is simple: growth follows adversity, and Lucentum intends to rise again as it has done in the past [citation].
Basque coach was very touched He signed a contract for one more season. In the preview of the game against Gipúzkoa, he made it clear that he would accept any decision of the club for next season, when a deep re-roll of the squad is expected after the fiasco. Luis Arbalejo He is already taking over as Lucentum’s new sporting director for the next four seasons. The choice of the technician is in your hands If he decides, as everything shows, his replacement will once again excite a Lugo crowd this year that has never identified him with the team. There is still a lot of work ahead for Arbalejo, who can start planning the new project now. Three unrelated matches left Against Huesca, Palencia and Girona for HLA. The only thing at stake is the honor of finishing the worst project remembered for both results and sensations. Everything was lost in the team before consecutive injuries. For a team with names like Llompart, Van Zegeren, Pilepic, Matulionis or Jaktas and who have the luxury of having a striker like Simmons, not making the top nine is a complete failure. It is not known to combine au.A high quality staff without a heart at many moments of the season and whose inconsistency made it quite a team.
“Fifth consecutive defeat for HLA and farewell to “play-off” (72-68)”
Pedro Rojas
The first year of the post-Rivero era ended in failure. During the season it was already suspected that playoff classification would be too generous. There was nothing to define the team, no clear identity in sight. With anarchic and ineffective play, this HLA never managed to convincingly showcase a consistent level, except for isolated moments against teams that grew stronger as the season progressed. The disappointment lingers as the club contemplates a bold new project, weighing ongoing leadership decisions and whether Llompart will remain in the squad. The clock is ticking for a player who feels the color and cannot pressure the decisive moments. Lucentum aims to rise again, as it has done before.