Casademont Zaragoza steps onto the hardwood at the Pabellón Príncipe Felipe on Sunday for its final preseason test against UCAM Murcia, offering the club’s loyal supporters a first official look at a heavily revamped roster and a new tactical direction under head coach Gonzalo García de Vitoria.
A Fresh Start at the Príncipe Felipe
The summer transfer window brought a near-total overhaul of the squad, replacing the personnel that suffered through a grueling campaign with a fresh group of players designed to restore stability in the Liga Endesa.
Preseason preparations have yielded mixed results for the newly constructed side. Casademont Zaragoza enters the weekend with a 2-2 record in its summer friendlies, securing victories against La Laguna Tenerife and Força Lleida while dropping contests to Valencia Basket and Pau-Orthez. García de Vitoria noted ahead of the fixture that the team is still ironing out its collective automatisms, making this final dress rehearsal vital for building chemistry.
Stepping Up the Competition
UCAM Murcia provides a formidable benchmark for the hosts. Having established itself among the most competitive and structurally stable outfits in Spain’s top flight over recent seasons, the visitors will test Zaragoza’s defensive discipline, ball movement, and physicality. For García de Vitoria, the fixture serves as an ideal laboratory to fine-tune rotation patterns before the official league curtain-raiser.
Roster availability remains a central storyline for the home side. Jilson Bango will sit out the contest as he continues his recovery from ongoing knee issues, keeping the center sidelined for the final tune-up. Meanwhile, the Príncipe Felipe crowd will get its first extended home viewing of new arrivals such as Jaworski, Nicolás Brussino, Homesley, Guillem Vives, Birutis, and Blumbergs.
Reconnecting with the Marea Roja
Beyond tactical evaluations, Sunday’s match marks a crucial reconciliation between the squad and the famous Marea Roja. Strained relations during a difficult previous season created friction between the stands and the floor, prompting the new sporting project to prioritize rebuilding that bond from day one. Club officials hope that a display of grit, defensive intensity, and collective character will ignite the home supporters once more.
The afternoon also carries profound historical significance for the organization. During the event, the club will stage a formal tribute to José Luis Abós and Ranko Zeravica, two legendary figures in the history of Zaragoza basketball. Commemorative banners honoring both coaches will take permanent positions in the rafters of the arena.
Next Steps on the Calendar
Following the final whistle against UCAM Murcia, Casademont Zaragoza will finalize preparations for the start of the official Liga Endesa schedule. The team hits the road next Sunday, September 27, to face La Laguna Tenerife in its regular-season opener.
