It should have been the day of his return, the moment when a distinguished figure would rejoin the ranks and reconnect with one of the architects behind the identity power of Somos Lucentum. Yet things unfolded differently. Tryphon Poch Oviedo had stepped away from his coaching role two months earlier. Two years after La Penya rebuilt its base, his comeback to the bench ended badly. Fate, forever orderly, teased another Lucentine legend, while Pedro Rivero wondered who would announce the punishment. His 5-15 balance looked stronger than his elegant, fearless understanding of the game. Source: Lucentum.
He will lead Alimerka this Friday, Guille Arenas aims to add four wins for the Asturians to solidify their path toward safety, including their victory over Estudiantes in the last nine games. HLA and Oviedo will clash in CT (20:30, Alacanti TV) amid shifting dynamics. The locals arrive off back-to-back losses to Valladolid and Almansa, while the visitors enter with momentum after taking down Albacete and Ourense in quick succession.
There are five weeks remaining in the regular season, and Alicante sits just a step away from the playoffs, a clear objective. They own three wins against TAU, the last meeting proving decisive. If they tap into their best form today, promotion to the ACB on May 25 appears within reach.
5 DAYS
Lucentum remains focused on securing a playoff position
► HLA Alicante has built a three-win cushion over their nearest rival, TAU Castelló. A Friday night victory would nearly seal a spot in the promotion race to the ACB on May 25.
The certainty of closeness to success has lingered, especially in recent fixtures where the team felt so dominant that the final push proved exhausting. That sense of duty embraced prior form and left a hollow feeling in its wake for HLA, a reminder that this is no time for complacency.
The momentum of a season often decides the next phase: the all-or-nothing playoffs. Lucentine supporters must recapture their intensity, sharpen their focus, and recalibrate balance to push through to the post-season. The aim is to clinch the 18th and swing the door wide open for what comes after.
Argentina Curse
mar galindo
The challenge is to halt the homegrown pressure and keep opponents from finding rhythm. The defense must tighten, and the offense must regain its pace when faced with a tough opponent who struggles to score and finds it hard to sustain momentum.
A stumble against Almansa should serve as a wake-up call for Lucentine aspirations. If the defense remains stubborn and intensity stays high, this division becomes a stage where every team fights for every possession. Alimerka is pushing hard to stay among the elite, and motivation will be at its peak following the recent two-date surge.
The club is once again rallying its fans to lift the team, creating a positive atmosphere in the arena that strengthens belief and, most importantly, preserves the sweet feeling that victories bring when they are earned at home. Source: Lucentum.