Lolo Encinas Returns to Donostia to Lead Alega Cantabria Against GBC

Lolo Encinas returns to Donostia on Saturday to face his former club, Gipuzkoa Basket (GBC), at 19:00 local time (17:00 UTC) at the Josean Gasca Arena.

A return to the Gasca

The 52-year-old coach, currently leading Alega Cantabria, brings his team to a venue that once served as his home for nearly a decade. Encinas spent nine seasons with GBC as an assistant coach between 2008 and 2016, followed by two seasons as the head coach.

Recalling his history at the facility, Encinas said that his most recent experience on the sidelines there occurred during a tournament with the Euskadi national team alongside Pablo Laso. He struggled to pinpoint his last league appearance at the arena, estimating it took place around 2000 or 2001 while serving as the delegate for Askatuak, El Diario Vasco reported.

“GBC will always be my club, I have always said it, and in the places where I have been coaching, they understand it perfectly,” Encinas told El Diario Vasco. Despite the emotional ties to the city and the club, he emphasized that once the ball is in the air, the professional objective remains unchanged.

Life in Torrelavega

Encinas described his current life in Torrelavega as a stark contrast to his time in Donostia. He portrayed the town of 51,000 residents as a compact, familial environment where he spends most of his time moving between his home and the local pavilion.

He highlighted the professional isolation that often accompanies his role, particularly following losses. “It is not the same assimilating a defeat away from home as it is in Donosti, where I can disconnect a little with family and friends,” Encinas told El Diario Vasco. He explained that in Torrelavega, the weeks following a loss feel significantly longer because the solitude becomes magnified.

“It is something that is implicit in our profession. You depend on the result, and when you win, you face it one way, and when you lose, another. And of course, if you are alone, you don’t stop thinking about it, and the loneliness grows,” Encinas added.

Tactical observations on GBC

Encinas has closely monitored his former team’s progress this season, noting that he has analyzed their last four matches. He expressed particular interest in Corentin Falcoz, describing him as a strong scorer who has adapted quickly to the systems implemented by current head coach Sergio García.

While acknowledging potential nerves, Encinas said that García’s teams historically show improvement as the season progresses. “The GBC will end up playing very well, and they have incorporated two new players,” he said.

The coach also shared a personal desire regarding the upcoming atmosphere at the Gasca. “I want to see the Gasca with a lot of people. I don’t care if they whistle at us, but those of us who have seen that pavilion full have the desire for it to be packed again,” Encinas told El Diario Vasco.

Professional connections

Beyond his immediate duties, Encinas maintains connections within the broader basketball community. He regularly meets with Jacobo Cuétara, a coach currently working in the Asobal league, noting that their shared experience in the Gipuzkoa region serves as a common bond.

Encinas also remains an active follower of the EuroLeague, frequently watching games featuring colleagues like Jaume Ponsarnau, Mikel Odriozola, and Javi Salgado. He expressed admiration for the current level of play in the competition, particularly the depth of the rosters in the Greek league.

The match between Alega Cantabria and Gipuzkoa Basket is scheduled for Saturday at 19:00 local time at the Josean Gasca Arena.