Zumarraga, Spain – Rising star Apezetxea II is set for a busy stretch of Basque pelota, quickly transitioning from his professional debut to a qualifying match in the prestigious Manomanista tournament. The quick turnaround highlights the excitement surrounding the young player as he enters the professional circuit.
Aspe and Baiko have announced two preliminary qualifying rounds for the Manomanista, scheduled for Sunday, March 22nd, at the Beloki fronton in Zumarraga. The matches will begin at 5:00 PM local time (UTC+2). Rekalde will face Apezetxea II in the first match, followed by Bakaikoa against Senar. The event will conclude with a pairs match featuring Alberdi II-Bikuña versus Murua-Erostarbe.
What makes Apezetxea II’s participation particularly noteworthy is that he will be making his professional debut just three days prior, on March 19th, at the Beotibar fronton in Tolosa. This rapid progression from debut to qualifier underscores the high expectations surrounding his potential. The debut match will feature P. Etxeberria, Bikuña, Apezetxea II, and Rezusta.
The Manomanista is considered one of the most vital individual tournaments in Basque pelota, and qualifying for the main draw is a significant achievement for any player. For Apezetxea II, it’s an immediate opportunity to prove himself against established competitors.
Baiko has similarly announced another Manomanista qualifier scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, at the Madalensoro fronton in Oiartzun. Peña II will compete in that match, though his opponent remains unconfirmed. Prior to that, a pairs match will feature Jaka and Landa against Zubizarreta IV and Imaz, serving as a warm-up for the main event.
The upcoming matches at Zumarraga and Oiartzun are part of a broader series of competitions taking place throughout March. Earlier in the month, on March 13th, Loiu hosted a Binaka Serie B Parejas event featuring Darío and Loza against Pena II and Landa, and Salaberria and Gaskue against Murua and Gabirondo. Tolosa also hosted matches on March 14th, with Artola and Imaz facing P. Etxeberria and Martija, and Jaka and Iztueta competing against Darío and Ezkurdia. Adarraga (Logroño) saw action on March 15th, with matches including Zabala and Eskuza against Larrazabal and Aranguren.
The selection of materials for the semifinal matches on Sunday was made on Wednesday, March 11th, in Adarraga, Logroño. Jon Ander Albisu’s hand recovery was a key topic of discussion, confirming his availability for the upcoming semi-final match.
The Campeonato Parejas final is scheduled for March 29th at the Navarra Arena, featuring Altuna III and Ezkurdia. The final of the Binaka Serie B Parejas will take place on March 21st in Bergara. Zumarraga will also host preliminary matches in Serie B on March 22nd, featuring Rekalde Apezetxea II and Bakaikoa Senar, as well as Alberdi II and Bikuña against Murua and Erostarbe.
Fans interested in attending these events can purchase tickets online. The schedule is packed with exciting matches, showcasing both established stars and emerging talents like Apezetxea II. The Manomanista qualifiers represent a crucial step for players aiming to compete for the championship title.
The quick succession of matches for Apezetxea II will undoubtedly test his stamina and adaptability as he transitions to the professional level. His performance in these early competitions will be closely watched by fans and experts alike, eager to see if he can live up to the considerable hype surrounding his debut.
Next up for Apezetxea II is his professional debut on March 19th in Tolosa, followed immediately by the Manomanista qualifier on March 22nd in Zumarraga. These matches represent a significant opportunity for the young player to build a strong first impression on the Basque pelota scene.
