Students dominate the derby and close the preseason

Movistar Estudiantes concluded its preparation phase with a decisive victory against Partizan Fuenlabrada in a derby that displayed all the expected intensity, despite being the last preseason commitment for both teams. The match held at Juan de la Cierva clearly demonstrated the competitive level of the students, who prevailed 100-90 after a solid performance in the critical moments of the game.

A high-level start for Fuenlabrada

The visitors entered the court with remarkable energy, showcasing quality basketball in front of their fans. Mateo Díaz was the architect of several fluid offensive movements, complemented by aggressive defenses that resulted in consecutive blocks. Fuenlabrada jumped ahead with an initial 0-9 run that seemed to foreshadow a challenging match for the team led by Iñaki Martín.

However, Movistar Estudiantes reacted quickly. The debut of Goran Huskić, the Serbian point guard returning to competition after more than a year away from the courts due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, marked a turning point in the first quarter. The Balkan player immediately showcased his quality with two plays that allowed him to score 5 points in just a few minutes, raising the performance level of the students.

From then on, both teams exchanged baskets in a first quarter where Estudiantes managed to close with an advantage (20-24), benefiting from good defense and a more organized attack in the latter stages.

Silverio takes the offensive reins

The second quarter brought a change in dynamics. Both teams focused on physical defense and capitalizing on personal fouls, which slowed the scoring pace of the match. Fuenlabrada, under the direction of Toni Ten, took advantage of this trend to take the lead for the first time (28-32), but the advantage was short-lived.

Omar Silverio emerged as the key offensive player for the students during this phase. His outside shooting proved crucial for Movistar Estudiantes to stretch their lead on the scoreboard. Quality passes from Mateo Díaz from the Fuenlabrada side were not enough to contain the rival's attack, which reached halftime with a double-digit advantage (50-40). Fuenlabrada's attack got bogged down in the closing minutes of the first half, allowing Estudiantes to consolidate their dominance before heading to the locker rooms.

Controversial officiating and Estudiantes' control

The return from the locker rooms brought a controversial episode that would mark the final third of the match. The ejection of Iván Cruz, decreed after accumulating fouls and following a technical foul call, generated a loud outcry from the Fuenlabrada fans. This decision influenced the course of the third quarter, which ended with a score of 79-65 in favor of the students.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable difference, Partizan Fuenlabrada did not give up. The team led by Iñaki Martín continued to fight to stay close on the scoreboard, aware that in a derby, even in preseason, the competition is fierce. Goran Huskić continued to show his talent in defense and in transitions, confirming that his recovery from the injury was on track.

Fuenlabrada pushes, but Estudiantes holds firm

The final quarter began with a very aggressive Fuenlabrada seeking to cut the deficit by speeding up the pace of the game. Vítor Benite led the comeback attempt, supported by a crowd that constantly cheered to push their team. The score tightened to 86-75 at one point in the game where the intensity reached its peak (93-84).

The nature of the derby was evident in these final moments. Despite being a preseason match, both teams demonstrated their desire to win, which is understandable given that this was the first meeting of the season between rivals from the same region. Fuenlabrada's efforts were commendable, but Movistar Estudiantes managed the last minutes with maturity.

The experience accumulated by the students during their preparation, which included matches against Alicante and Gipuzkoa, was reflected in their ability to maintain composure when the rival pressed. Fuenlabrada, for its part, entered the derby after facing two EuroLeague teams like Partizan Belgrade and Besiktas, an experience that raised the competitive level of the match but also drained their energy.

Movistar Estudiantes took the preseason derby with a final score of 100-90, confirming that the students close this preparation phase with good momentum, with Omar Silverio as the offensive reference and Goran Huskić recovered to contribute from his point guard position. For Fuenlabrada, the derby provided valuable lessons ahead of the official competition, despite the defeat.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Estudiantes domina el derbi y cierra pretemporada