After two years of absence, the Final Four returned to Conference A of the EBA League to determine which team would accompany USAL La Antigua CB Tormes and Santurtzi SK in the Final Phases. In the first semifinal, Baskonia B prevailed over the other subsidiary, Obradoiro Silleda, who played as a local, although it was not played in his usual fief of the Deza region council, but in the magnificent Fontes do Sar (63-75). The other team from the AA, Mondragón Unibertsitatea, did the same with Leclerc Caja Rural RDL (79-68), but could not beat the Baskonia subsidiary in Sunday’s final (78-94), with Fabián Téllez’s team qualifying for the Gandía Ascent Phase.
proper nouns
Maxi Sole
Baskonia B
SF: 9 pt, 15 re, 23 val
F: 17 pt, 9 re, 25 val
The oil that greases the Baskonia machinery bears his name. For this he does not need to write down, which he also does, with the security that he gave his team since the four sixties. Practically infallible. It is enough for him to be a magnet for rebounds, a bulldozer in blocking and have the spatial intelligence that allows him to always be where his team needs him, opening the spaces that are needed for talent to appear. He hardly rested in the semifinal against Obradoiro (38 min), despite the fact that he had to manage his four personals, but the load of minutes did not prevent him from excelling again against Ointxe, where he ended up excluded with the match already resolved. Statistics recognize him as F4 MVP, despite the fact that his contribution went far beyond what can be collected in a data table.
Dani Lorenzo
Mondragón University
SF: 26 pt, 7 re, 12 fr, 37 val
F: 23 pt, 9 fr, 21 val
In the semifinal against Leclerc, Caja Rural RdL was immeasurable, making it impossible for the Leon defense to stop. Every time he accelerated towards the hoop, he ended up getting points, either with a layup or with the personal chain he caused. The next day, already in the final, he put everything on his side again and was the best of his own, but Baskonia’s fatigue and rocky defense took their toll during the second half, preventing him from closing another perfect performance. The defeat marks Ointxe’s farewell to a player who has been decisive in the transformation of a club now accustomed to fighting for positions of honour.
Jaime Flames
Leclerc Caja Rural RDL
SF: 22 pt, 13 re, 27 val
He only played one game, the semifinal against Ointxe, but he put the team behind him. He scored from all positions and with his verticality he once again demonstrated why he is one of the most outstanding players in Group AB.
Sidy Cissoko
Baskonia B
SF: 10 pt, 10 val
F: 22 pt, 22 val
When he hit the court on Saturday morning, barely 14 hours had passed since the end of his LEB Oro match at Riazor with Juaristi ISB. His physical power allowed him to be important in that semi-final and, above all, in the final against Ointxe, in which Eneko Mata’s men suffered against Baskonia’s physical external rotation. He assumed responsibility when he had to and, moreover, left spectacular plays to build Baskonia’s classification for the Phases of Ascent.
Franger Pirela
Baskonia B
SF: 16 pt, 14 val
F: 13 pt, 18 val
He did not stop adding in the semifinal or the final, in which he also appeared in the most difficult moments for the Baskonia subsidiary, who needed his wrist and his 1v1 to break a very combative Ointxe, but who could not stop him in a third quarter in which he put wheels to victory for his team with 9 points and 3 assists.
Imanol Orue-Mazaga
Mondragón University
SF: 16 pt, 6 re, 18 val
F: 8 pt, 8 val
He is not the Ointxe player that the spotlights usually point to, but he is essential in Eneko Mata’s team due to his constant work in the paint. In the semifinal against Obradoiro Silleda he was immense, with his movements with his back to the hoop, contributing vital points when his team needed him most, defensive work and great solidity in free throws. He was the best of his team at the start of the semifinal.
Alexander Lopez
Baskonia B
SF: 9 pt, 11 val
F: 8 pt, 10 val
Beyond the numbers, the Spaniard gave a true demonstration of talent in directing the Baskonia game during the semifinal, in which, moreover, he assumed responsibility at the decisive moment, with two vital three-pointers to cut off Obradoiro Silleda’s reaction. In the final he did not have the same leading role, but he had time to score another two triples at the beginning of the second quarter, fundamental in Baskonia’s comeback, which he had started suffering against Ointxe.
Sergi Huguet
Silleda Workshop
SF: 16 pt, 11 val
Although he could not be the player who dazzles every time he plays with Obradoiro’s reserve team, his second half against Leclerc Caja Rural RdL was basic for the reaction of the Galicians, who came to risk a Baskonia victory that seemed certain at half-time.
Alex Ramon
Mondragón University
SF: 5 pt, 6 re, 11 val
F: 13 pt, 16 val
Another player whose importance in this F4 is not reflected in the cold numbers. In the semifinal, Ointxe began to grow when he joined Lorenzo. Already in the final, he scored triples in the hot moments and was, together with Atxa, the last plank that Arrasate’s team clung to to try to survive in the storm unleashed by Baskonia.
Santi Paz
Silleda Workshop
SF: 9 pt, 12 re, 18 val
MVP of Obradoiro’s reserve team in the semifinal, I’m not including him for that, but for his defensive work against Baskonia, which was one of the best for Denís Pombar’s team in an F4 that didn’t turn out as they expected but didn’t tarnish an outstanding season
