Surne Bilbao became huge again in Miribilla. With an atmosphere of the greats and a serious, intense and ambitious team staging, the men in black signed a very valuable victory against UCAM Murcia (96-82), a rival from the upper zone that came as best defense in the league…and that ended surpassed in all aspects of the game by a Bilbao team that went out in the second half.
It was, furthermore, the seventh victory of the season for Jaume Ponsarnau’s team, which even keeps the dream of the Copa del Rey alive, although the path is demanding and depends on other people’s results. What does not depend on anyone is the feeling that Miribilla left: Bilbao Basket is competing as a blockwith personality and with a crowd that pushes like few others when they smell a big game.
A Bilbao Basket that believed it… and showed it
The great name of the night was Harald Freyimperial after the break: 24 points, 4/6 in triples and 23 efficiency. The Norwegian point guard lit up Miribilla with a brilliant second half, leading each local acceleration and setting the pace of the game when it was time to break it.
But the best thing about Surne Bilbao was that it was not just Frey: the victory had a collective stamp, a connected and supportive team, with resources on both sides of the court.
Jaworski and Bagayoko, the energy that blew up the pavilion
The shooter Justin Jaworski was once again decisive: 22 points, 4/5 in triplespunishing every small concession by Murcia and scoring baskets that were fuel for the stands at key moments.
And if there was a player who symbolized the character and energy of the game, it was Baslalagagayoko. The young interior completed a performance that lifted the pavilion: 14 points and 7 reboundswith spectacular actions in both rings, powerful rebounds and an intimidating presence that ended up tilting the game.
They also contributed solidly Melvin Pantzar (12 points, 4 assists) and Martin Krampelj (10 points and 6 rebounds), on a night in which Bilbao Basket found production in several pieces and maintained its aggressiveness for 40 minutes.
An even start and a second half to frame
The game started with alternations and a Murcia that tried to take it to their field, taking advantage of local losses to open a first gap (4-11). But Surne Bilbao reacted with character, with Jaworski as the main response, and got fully into the match to close the first quarter with a minimal advantage (18-17).
Equality was maintained during the second quarter, with constant exchanges and big-game tension. The break came with everything open (41-40), but what came next was another story.
After passing through the locker room, Bilbao Basket raised the level, revved up and broke the game from defense, rebound and exterior success. With increasingly clear advantages (56-46, 57-46), Murcia threatened to get closer, but then Frey appeared to open the gap again and take the game to the territory that Miribilla wanted.
An overwhelming final quarter: Murcia could not sustain the pace
The final blow came at the beginning of the fourth quarter. A triple by Jaworski and a devastating partial put the game downhill (73-57), in a stretch where Surne Bilbao was superior in everything: more energy, more clarity, more toughness at the back and more success.
The UCAM Murcia, with DeJulius (25 points) y Cacok (16 points, 9 rebounds) like the most productive, he found no way to stop the gale. And Sito Alonso’s team, despite the defeat, mathematically certified their presence in the Cup. This time, however, Miribilla handed down the sentence.
A victory that strengthens the men in black
Surne Bilbao Basket competed without Stefan Lazarevic in Amar Syllabut he did not notice it in attitude or ambition. On the contrary: he offered one of his best versions of the course against a rival from the upper part and left a clear message: When Miribilla pushes and the team plays like this, anyone suffers in Bilbao.
Technical sheet
96 – Surne Bilbao (18+23+23+32): Frey (24), Normantas (2), Hilliard (5), Krampelj (10) y Hlinason (4) -cinco inicial-; Pantzar (12), Jaworski (22), Font, Petrasek (3), Bagayoko (14), Errasti y Zecevic.
82 – UCAM Murcia (17+23+15+27): DeJulius (25), Ennis (5), Sant-Roos (2), Nakic and Cate (10) -five starters-; Forrest (10), Radebaugh (9), Raieste (2), Falk (3), Cacok (16) and Hicks.
Referees: Carlos Cortés, Joaquín García and Igor Esteve. Eliminated due to fouls were the locals Krampelj (m.38) and Hlinason (m.40) and the visitor Raieste (m.36).
Incidents: Matchday 15 of the Endesa League played at the Bilbao Arena in Miribilla in front of 7,914 spectators. Official data.
