It was more than a victory. And the motto celebrated it as such. When the final whistle blew, the players jumped up and started hugging. Why win in Castellón It meant changing the negative dynamics of recent games. But also the first win in a tight last quarter. And the final consequence: not to continue sinking in the classification and re-engage with the play off group. A three in one for which the oranges showed character in the final minutes at the hands of Ingus Jakovicthe best from A Coruña, with 14 points and a PIR of 22.
The foreign success in the first half gave Leyma wings. Because it allowed him to start ahead on the scoreboard, unlike in his last games, to find balance and tranquility that would serve as the basis for the rest. Also Diego Epifanio introduced changes to the usual starting five, opting for the experience of javi vegawhich was key, and due to the greater defensive forcefulness of Atoumane Diagne. In the first quarter, as many as four three-pointers fell, 12 of the 19 points that went up to the score of the visitors, who took advantage (15-19). The team from A Coruña maintained its rhythm in the second quarter. Virtually all he scored was three points. Until 26-33, there were four. But as soon as the percentage dropped, the local reaction arrived. With a 9-0 Castellón took the lead for the first time (39-35). Filipovic broke the streak, but the dynamics were already in favor of the home team who went ahead at halftime (44-41).
It didn’t take long for the Leyma to recover. A few minutes in the third quarter were enough for him to take command again with a basket from Goran Filipovic (49-50), although a triple by Barrueta and a 2+1 by Font stretched the score even further, which in the final minutes of the quarter once again reflected a considerable advantage for the oranges, with greater calm against an opponent looking towards the referees (57-63). Joan Fanner He pushed his team until they equalized the score already in the final quarter with a three-pointer and a 2+1 in a row. From then on the initiative was motto, with Castelló always in tow, but refusing to give up. One or two up, tie. And so on. And this time the people from A Coruña endured the blows without nerves or anxiety. The entrance of Jakovics to the detriment of Filipovic, who lost a ball at a hot moment, was key. The Latvian scored, directed and above all, he was aggressive and impassive. His baton led to the sixth.
CASTELLI 81 – LEYMA 86
TAU Castellón (15+29+13+24): Jalen Nesbitt (16), Joan Faner (12), David Hook (3), Frederic Stutz (20) and Xavi Rey (8) —starting five—. Óscar Alvarado (4), Jorge Bilbao (9), Joan Sabaté (3), Ezekiel Alley (4) and Menno Dijkstra (2).
Leyma Coruña (19+22+22+23): Goran Filipovic (11), Pau Isern (2), June Barrueta (12), Javi Vega (14) and Atoumane Diagne (6) — the starting five. Lottana Nwogbo (8), Alexander Galan (5), Ingus Jakovics (14), Djordje Simeunovic (2) and Aleix Font (12).
Referees: Mas, Morales and Ibanez. Without eliminated due to personal fouls.
Court: Cuitat Castellón
