BadalonaThe Olympic Palace is starting to be a warm home for the Peña. Joventut de Badalona has played eight games this season at home and has only lost one. The green-and-black team got rid of Casademont Zaragoza (84-78) and strengthened their chances of playing in the Copa del Rey de Granada. Ante Tomic, who scored 18 of his 24 points during the second half, played a decisive role in an afternoon in which Derek Willis and Pau Ribas also did a good job.
“The Olympic Palace has been spectacular and has given us a lot of energy. Despite not being right from the three-point line, we scored 84 points. We will continue to grow if we are brave “, said Carles Duran. La Penya started the game playing with rhythm, but little by little the defense of Casademont Zaragoza managed to limit their circulation of ball, impoverish their usual collective game and, as a consequence, lower their success rates. . Encouraged by the contribution from the bench of Adam Waczynski, the green-and-black rival came to the break with the score tied (35-35).
Tomic and Willis were the key players of the Rock during a second half in which the green-and-black team hardened their defense. This allowed him to recover many balls and star in counterattack actions on a day when his hit percentages from the three-point line were very low. Unlike what happened against Partizan or Valencia Basket, Joventut knew how to play the last minutes with great maturity.
Barça and Baxi Manresa, at home
Barça will receive a Valencia Basket this Sunday (6.30pm, #Vamos) with many casualties at the Palau Blaugrana. “We are going to one of the most difficult fields in Europe to play against a rival with an immaculate streak in the Endesa League and who has just played another great match in the Euroleague. With the talent we already know, but with a very remarkable defensive solidity. It is a very difficult match but very exciting due to the complexity and importance of the rival “, analyzes Joan Peñarroya, coach of the orange team.
Baxi Manresa, meanwhile, will play this Sunday (8pm, Movistar Deportes) at the Nou Congost against Rio Breogan, the revelation team for the start of the season. “He has signed very well and has surprised the league by his competitive level. It has a lot of merit and credit must be given to the coach. They have a lot of players who come from the LEB and are doing well, and others of whom everyone who was in the NBA speaks. Nothing is by chance on day 10, if they are where they are it is because they are doing well ”, warns Pedro Martínez.
