Bilbao Basket dominates in its debut with a devastating run

El Surne Bilbao began its preparatory stage with a demonstration of solidity against Alega Cantabria at the Polideportivo Emilio Amavisca in Laredo, a venue the Bilbao team visits annually during the summer. The final score of 103-81 reflects a clear superiority in the development of the game, although what is truly relevant in a September friendly goes beyond the numbers on the scoreboard.

The debut provided what any team seeks during this time: opportunities for new players to gain confidence, collective practice without rushing, and, above all, the reassurance that no one returned from the field with physical discomfort. Only Frey had a minor scare in the last seconds, but it appeared to be inconsequential.

The decisive turn in the second quarter

The Cantabrians came out with purpose and intensity, dominating the start of the game. Kyler Jordan-Jenkins and Nwogbo were the initial driving forces for Alega, who led 11-20 thanks to their offensive success and physical presence in the paint. The visiting team seemed comfortable at the Polideportivo Emilio Amavisca, but the balance did not last long.

A 9-1 run set the Bilbao trajectory straight and allowed Ponsarnau’s team to equalize the score at 31-31. That was when the turning point arrived: a devastating 22-0 run that extinguished any hope of competition. The men in black closed the first half at 51-31, foreseeing the inevitable outcome.

In the second half, Bilbao managed the game intelligently, avoiding unnecessary risks. The constant rotations kept the energy high, despite the fact that the result no longer offered any uncertainty. The lead remained around twenty points during the third quarter and never dropped below that figure. Jenkins finished with 23 points for the Cantabrians, while Miha Lapornik, a former ACB player, contributed 21.

Darling and the newcomers on stage

The undeniable star of the afternoon was Nate Darling, the new Canadian shooting guard who opened the scoring for the preseason. The player finished the game with 22 points, fourteen of them in the first half, showcasing exceptional shooting percentages that highlight his potential. Darling naturally combines outside shooting with intelligent drives and shows good association with the interior players. He is not a player who seeks explosiveness, but he enters the paint with good judgment and has the ability to break established defenses.

Tryggvi Hlinason was another standout with 15 points and 8 rebounds, reestablishing himself as an interior reference in the project. Among the new signings, Hustak positively surprised with two clean three-pointers despite his height of 2.11 meters, a versatility that can prove valuable. Vautier showed progress as the game progressed and aims to become a reliable option in the paint. Somogyi, on the other hand, is still settling in after his arrival.

Duscak demonstrated solid fundamentals as the third point guard, while Ansorregi ended the game with a three-pointer that summed up his contribution: grit, physicality, and defensive commitment. All of them gained minutes and experience in a pressure-free context, which constitutes the true value of these games leading up to the official competition.

Tactical identity and next steps

Beyond a score that lacks relevance in September, the team's intention was clear: high pace, many possessions, defensive intensity, and versatile attacks that do not rely on a single system. Bilbao seeks to play fast and with variety, something that requires time to adjust.

There are still pieces to fit, and only three weeks left to do so. The Liga Endesa kicks off before the end of the month with the visit of Manresa, a rival that will not allow the luxury of arriving unprepared. That will be the first real test, the one that will determine if the preseason work has paid off.

The best statistic, in any case, is the one that does not appear in the official record: no injuries. In a sport where health is the most valuable asset, starting the preseason without injuries represents a success in itself. Bilbao has the opportunity to build on that solid foundation.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bilbao Basket domina en su debut con un parcial devastador