Lucentum’s tough night in Almansa showcases resilience and late drama

betrothed princess

mar galindo

In a tense clash, Lucentum faced a difficult road as the early minutes favored Almansa, who mounted a sharp 0-11 run that put Lucentum on the back foot from the opening whistle. The hosts settled in quickly, stifling Lucentum’s offense and pushing ahead with free throws as their only reliable scoring option before the game truly opened up. Yet the tide shifted dramatically as the first decisive period wore on. Almansa managed to snatch control only to see Lucentum’s resolve grow, closing the quarter at 16-16 after a series of frantic exchanges. The home side then surged ahead, building a 16-5 run that reflected both their tenacity and an on-court advantage that favored the locals for a spell. By the end of the first frame, HLA Alicante had erased the early deficit, leaving the score at 32-23 in favor of the Alicante team, a stunning reversal given the start. A rocky stretch left Lucentum with only 7 of 33 field goal attempts, underscoring the visitors’ early struggles.

HLA Alicante wants a victory to secure ‘play-off’ in Almansa

Caesar Hernandez

As the second quarter began, both teams found themselves trading blows with little to separate them for several minutes. A timely triple from Mateo gave Almansa their first lane to the lead, nudging the scoreboard to 21-16. Monclova called a timeout after witnessing a 20-5 run that tilted the momentum decisively in Almansa’s favor. Lucentum’s triples remained elusive, their shooting from beyond the arc stubbornly stubborn at 2 out of 14, while the German players asserted control on the interior. The Alicante side called for another stoppage to address mounting issues on offense, and the home team widened the gap to 32-20 with just under three minutes on the clock before halftime. The second period closed with Almansa up 36-23, a troubling figure for Lucentum and their fans. The visitors had shown signs of life but were still left to contemplate a difficult path back to parity.

Two minutes of rest could not mask the dissonance in Lucentum’s rhythm; the 7-for-33 field goal line reflected a team struggling to find its usual balance. The arena’s energy pulsed with every drive, every save, every defensive stand, but the scoreboard kept pushing back against the visitors.

HLA Alicante fights to overturn Almansa’s lead

In the third period, the visitors came out with renewed intent. Mutic’s trio signaled a potential turning point as Lucentum narrowed the gap to 39-25. Matulionis found a spark in back-to-back sequences, delivering two straight three-pointers that ignited a push to reduce the deficit. Lucentum’s improved defense brought more clarity on offense, forcing Almansa into tough decisions and occasional missteps. The home side answered with a burst that included several successful plays, widening the advantage again and pushing the score to 52-40. Yet Lucentum remained persistent, chipping away with disciplined ball movement and sharper execution. Edu Martínez, whose earlier moments had drawn attention for his strategic aggression, faced disqualification after a second technique, a turning point that briefly reignited Lucentum’s belief. The period concluded with Almansa maintaining a double-digit edge, but the visitors had clearly found more rhythm and purpose in their plays.

The final quarter began with Lucentum pressing hard. A pair of three-pointers from Steinarsson and another from Matulionis gave the visitors fresh momentum, drawing the game closer as time wound down. Although Almansa remained dangerous, their actions were repeatedly penalized by referees, keeping Lucentum close and hopeful. Steinarsson found a steady touch with his shooting while Aranitovic contributed crucial baskets in the stretch. With six minutes left, Lucentum had shaved the lead to five, signaling a comeback possibility that kept the crowd engaged. A late burst from Matulionis continued to offer hope, but a decisive unsportsmanlike call against the Lithuanian, paired with a lingering rhythm deficit for the home side, sealed a difficult night for Lucentum. The game ended with a disappointing finish for the visitors, who could not sustain an improbable rally and leave Almansa victorious.

In the aftermath, the crowd’s disappointment was tempered by appreciation for the effort on display. The team acknowledged the support of their traveling fans, even as they reflected on missed opportunities and technical distractions that complicated their playoff push. It was a tough night for Lucentum, their first defeat in Almansa, and a reminder that competitive balance in this league often hinges on small margins and momentary discipline.

Data sheet

Germany: Mutis 12, Costa 12, Bivia -, Diaz 19; Aratinovic 12, Sturup 6, Fernández 6, Menéndez 8, Edu Martínez 2, Karabinas 2, Ogunsipe 8.

HLA Alicante: Matulionis 22, Guillem 3, Chapela -, Steinarsson 25; Parrado 2, Gatell -, Berg 2, Coleby -, Blaylock -, Rakocevic -, McDonnell 8.

Partial 16-16, 20-7, 24-27 and 27-24

Referees: Lisana, Martín Vázquez and Arresa.

Kiosk: Almansa Sports Center.