Endesa League: Baskonia, Manresa, and Girona win in high-pressure matches

Baskonia achieved a nearly miraculous comeback at the Barris Nord in Lleida after a second half of immense suffering. The team coached by Perasovic dominated authoritatively during the first thirty minutes, establishing a 22-point lead by the 25th minute (43-65) when it seemed the game was completely settled. However, defensive errors, offensive disconnection, and fatigue highlighted that the Baskonia roster, limited to nine players due to the lack of signings, could not maintain the pace.

Lleida's reaction and the defensive collapse

The local team, missing Kurucs, Sedekerskis, and Santos in the paint, found their best weapon in Batemon. The forward scored 20 points in the last quarter with 3 of 4 from three-point range, leading a comeback that put Baskonia on the edge of disaster. The visitors excessively abused three-point shots, one-on-one actions, and a defense that vanished in crucial moments. Lleida managed to get to 86-82 with 4 minutes and 43 seconds remaining, with fear evident on the faces of the Baskonia players.

In the final minutes, both sides had their failed attempts. Batemon launched another three, Joksimovic missed two free throws while trying to tie at 88, and Hughes also erred from distance. Shurna tied the game at 91 with a corner basket with one minute left. Simmons quickly responded with another three, but a block on Batemon and a dunk by Joksimovic on the fast break sealed the Baskonia victory.

At halftime, Baskonia had established a clear dominance (39-54) over a soft Lleida that committed only six fouls. Simmons shone with 16 points and 6 of 7 from the field, while Joksimovic added 11 with 4 of 5 and Frisch another 11 with 5 of 6. The accuracy from three-point range (8 of 11) was decisive in the first half for Perasovic's men to control the game comfortably.

Manresa overcomes Obradoiro in an epic double overtime

In Manresa, a game of epic proportions unfolded, requiring two overtimes to decide the outcome. Kids&Us Manresa defeated Monbus Obradoiro by one point (100-99) in their first victory after six losses in a challenging start to the season. The match lasted nearly three hours in real time despite the 50 minutes of play, reflecting the extreme parity between both teams.

The team coached by Diego Ocampo shot a staggering 51 three-pointers, making only 16, a disastrous percentage compensated by the good performance of Notae (8 threes) and Bassas (5 threes). The rest of the shooters managed just 3 of 25 from long range. Manresa also made mistakes from the free-throw line (26 of 38), which could have been catastrophic in such a close game.

The home team entered the final quarter with a slight lead (55-48) that seemed to be under control, but Obradoiro reacted with a run of 1-9 led by Joel Soriano under the boards, closing in to just one point (64-63). The equality persisted until the last minute when Childress gave the visitors a +3 from three-point range, but Notae tied it again. In the last play of regulation time, Childress shot again but missed, sending the game into overtime (73-73).

In the first extra period, the equality remained. With 33 seconds remaining, Manresa had a +4 lead, but a free throw by Soriano and a subsequent three from Barcello forced a second overtime (86-86). The game was on the verge of needing a third overtime, but JD Notae prevented that with his eighth three of the game. In the last attack, despite having 18 seconds to win, Meindl was blocked, and the victory stayed at home.

Girona defeats Bilbao in another nail-biting finish

Bàsquet Girona also triumphed in a highly tense match against Surne Bilbao (92-87). The visitors squandered many opportunities at the free-throw line (7 of 17) and missed 3 of 11 three-point shots in the last quarter when they needed to score to stay in the game.

At halftime, Girona held a minimal lead (46-44). Upon resuming, both teams alternated control without either able to distance themselves on the scoreboard. Bilbao ended the third quarter with a favorable 66-67 after Hilliard hit his fifth three, reaching 24 points. Ponsarnau's team showed clear deficiencies in offensive rebounds (2-13) and assists (10-20), but the game remained very close.

In the final period, the equality continued to dominate. Bilbao entered the last five minutes ahead (73-76) after Margiris Normantas' third three and a dunk from Tryggvi Hlinason. However, Bàsquet Girona, led by McClung and Andrzej Pluta, managed to come into the last 30 seconds with a two-point lead (86-84). Darling still gave hope to the visitors with a three-pointer with eleven seconds remaining (90-87), but Jassel Pérez made his free throws to seal the home victory.

Statistics and key players

In Manresa, Notae was the top scorer with 33 points, while Oriola contributed 17 and Bassas 21. For Obradoiro, Joel Soriano led with 30 points, Childress scored 23, and Meindl added 15. In Girona, McClung was a standout with 19 points, Geben with 17, and Pluta with 12. In Bilbao, Hilliard led with 24 points, Darling contributed 21, and Normantas added 11 points.

The three victories reflected the extreme competitiveness of the ACB, where details, mentality, and the ability to react in critical moments are decisive. Baskonia survived despite their roster limitations, Manresa achieved their first victory after a tough start, and Girona solidified their home strength.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Liga Endesa: Baskonia, Manresa y Girona ganan en partidos de máxima tensión