The Monbus Obradoiro opened its return to the Liga ACB with an 85-90 victory against MoraBanc Andorra at the Pavelló Toni Martí, erasing a 13-point first-quarter deficit behind 18 points from Brandon Childress and a decisive late surge. Recorded before 3,848 spectators on Sept. 26, 2026, the season-opening fixture showcased a dramatic tactical reversal after a sluggish start against Diego Epifanio’s squad.
Childress Sparks Obradoiro Past MoraBanc Andorra
Early Onslaught From the Hosts
MoraBanc Andorra seized early control of the tempo in Andorra la Vella. Back-to-back three-pointers from Chumi Ortega and an outside jumper by Kassius Robertson fueled a 14-2 opening run for the hosts within the first five minutes. The home side extended its advantage to 27-14 by the end of the first quarter, capitalizing on defensive lapses and quick transitions anchored by Artem Pustovyi and Fuad Radosevic in the paint, while James Akinjo distributed the ball effectively.
Momentum Shift Before Halftime
Obradoiro shifted the momentum in the second period by outscoring Andorra 29-19. Felipe Dos Anjos and Brandon Childress spearheaded the recovery, helping trim the deficit to 46-43 by halftime despite a brief scoring burst from veteran León Radošević. The third quarter remained tightly contested, with Andorra stretching its margin back to 70-65 heading into the final frame following strong minutes from Akinjo, Robertson, and Aaron Best.
Fourth-Quarter Comeback and Clutch Shots
The visitors claimed their first lead of the night early in the fourth quarter when Dos Anjos converted six consecutive points to make it 70-71. As the game entered its decisive stretch, Leo Meindl and Barrueta hit back-to-back triples to push Obradoiro ahead 74-77 with 4:45 remaining. Childress then sealed the outcome down the stretch, converting a crucial 2+1 off an action from Joel Soriano and sinking a deep three-pointer with under a minute left to establish an unassailable 81-90 cushion.
Standout Performances on Opening Night
Childress paced the winning effort with 18 points, four assists, and a 20 performance index rating. Joel Soriano added 15 points and five rebounds, asserting his presence against Pustovyi inside. Dos Anjos and Leo Meindl contributed 12 points apiece, while Barrueta chipped in 11 points, shooting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. For Andorra, Kassius Robertson led the scoring with 15 points, followed by Justin Iwundu with 12, James Akinjo with 11, and 10 points each from Pustovyi and Radošević.
Ceremonies and Roster Shortages
The match proceedings in Andorra la Vella featured a pre-game fan zone, an anthem performance by Ishtar Ruiz, and blue light sticks handed out during player introductions. The club honored returning player Felipe Dos Anjos with a commemorative plaque presented by team captain Rafa Luz, alongside a moment of silence observed for the late trade union leader Gabriel Ubach. The reconstructed team of Zan Tabak managed the victory despite absences from Cameron McGriff and Rati Andronikashvili.
Following this opening-week triumph, MoraBanc Andorra prepares for subsequent Liga ACB fixtures on the road against Joventut and Unicaja.
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