Good dynamic without prize

Básquet Girona dominated for thirty minutes but Villarrobledo took the game to extra time where their work resulted in the Catalan defeat (90-83)

| Monday, 19 November 2018

Despite being ahead on the scoreboard throughout the game with differences around the tenth, the Catalan team did not maintain the defensive line that had allowed them to dominate the scoreboard and, their opponent, took advantage of this to lead the game to the extension and take it away.

The defensive start of Básquet Girona was excellent, Villarrobledo did not come out with the same intensity as their rival and paid for it with a mistake in front of the basket (6 – 10 minute 8). In addition, the entry of a successful Leo Cizmic from the bench gave the team the necessary impetus to end the first act with a favorable 11 – 19.

In the second period, the team led by Quim Costa maintained concentration and solidity in their game, they did not allow the Mancheque team to enter the game. However, local star Jalen Nesbitt began to wake up and Villarrobledo was able to trade blows with their opponent. However, the situation did not change for the Girona players who, with an active Cizmic – 12 points at the break – closed the first half with the feeling that all that was left to do was finish the work done until then (29 – 39).

At the restart, the Girona continued with the good line of the first twenty minutes, and a basket by Alzamora gave the maximum advantage (32 – 45 minute 24). This situation caused the local coach Manu Jiménez to change the entire starting five to seek a change of mentality and direction in his team. He did it. Two minutes from the end of the third quarter, Miguel Martínez – who had not yet scored – nailed two triples that forced Quim Costa to call timeout (46 – 52 minute 38). Four free throws converted by Sergi Costa and Berry kept the psychological barrier of ten points at bay (48-59) at the end of the period.

But then, Villarrobledo increased the defensive intensity, and the Catalans saw how in three minutes, their rival took the advantage (62 – 61 minute 33). From there, the lead changed hands as many as three times and the tension of each play was palpable on both sides. In a carousel of free throws, neither team missed and the game ended in a draw. Five more minutes.

In overtime, the locals maintained the good momentum of the last quarter and, with an intractable Jalen Nesbitt and Isler’s free throw, sealed the victory (90 – 83)  in front of a Básquet Girona exhausted both physically and mentally.

The senior’s next engagement will be in Fontajau (7:00 p.m.) on Saturday November 24 against CB Vic.

*Quim Costa rating:

“They were a more experienced team and have arrived more physically fit. We don’t have that experience and we have paid for not going overboard.”

“We have been serious and have recovered the line of play that we had lost and that I hope we will maintain from now on.”