The CB Gran Canaria returns to the competition after the turmoil that arose during the week due to what happened during the derby against Lenovo Tenerife. Today, the guest at Siete Palmas is Valencia Basket (12:00 hours, #Go), a rival that has a hard time during their visits to the Arena – unlike at the CID – and whom they have not beaten in eight years.
The claretian team has had the measure of the taronjas every time they come to the island in recent history, although this season the number of games played is tied at one each. However, the victory of Valencia had more significance, as it was in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
The Dreamland team played that match as the top seed against Mumbrú’s team, precisely because the yellows managed to win at Fuente de San Luis by 79-86 with a stellar performance from AJ Slaughter, scoring six of the ten three-pointers he attempted and notching up 28 points.
However, the most immediate memory for the islanders remains the downturn they experienced in the extra time played in Malaga, which they reached after a miracle by Nico Brussino in the final seconds, hitting a three-pointer that Jaka Lakovic drew up on his chalkboard.
Coincidentally, the Slovenian coach will be able to lead his team without any issues after being ejected last Sunday in the first quarter of the Tenerife derby for invading the court while protesting a non-existent foul by Albicy on Jaime Fernández – which unfortunately coincided with the long-term injury of the Madrid shooting guard – and also directing a series of insults at the match officials.
A possible sanction that is pending resolution and which Valencia does not give importance to this communication anomaly.
Jaka thus has the chance to bring happiness back to his fans after the regret of having to return from Tenerife with a defeat once again, and what better way than to give them a victory that also sets them apart from Valencia, with whom they are tied at 16 wins and ten losses; and also keep them ahead on points difference, which currently stands at seven points.
Winning is more than necessary after Lenovo also emerged victorious from their visit to Zunder Palencia – a court where Granca lost – and for now, they remain one victory ahead of the claretians pending today’s result.
To add to this, the carousel of absences expected this morning from the opponent also plays in their favour. The first, and most crucial, would be the absence of Brandon Davies, who has not fully recovered from his knee sprain and Mumbrú does not want to “take risks” with his centre. For now, he trained on the Siete Palmas court yesterday to test himself.
And the second, that of Chris Jones, who finished the game on Friday against Maccabi Tel Aviv with discomfort in his left calf and is also a doubt until today.
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All this added to the long-term back injury to Boubacar Touré, as well as the management of non-EU players in the taronja ranks, which forces Jared Harper to be left out of the squad due to the need to enlist Nate Reuvers in the inside game and the good performance of forward Justin Anderson.
The reserve team will play in the ‘playoff’ for promotion to LEB Oro
The reserve team of CB Gran Canaria will play in the promotion playoff to the LEB Oro category after defeating Oca Global Salou 75-56, securing their third consecutive win (Sandrá, Electroclima, L’Hospitalet, and Safris Fruits Alginet), and placing themselves in seventh position, ensuring their spot in the promotion playoffs to the Spanish basketball silver category. In this match, the standout performance came from the veteran point guard, Fabio Santana, scoring 17 points, after hitting five three-pointers out of seven attempts, three rebounds (one offensive), and five assists. These numbers stood out alongside 9 points (four out of twelve from free throws) and 11 rebounds; as well as the 14 points in just 15 minutes from Edson Tovar. Now, the yellow team will play the final match of the regular phase against Pajarraco CB Santfeliuenc, next Saturday at 19:00 (feb.tv). After the victory, coach Pablo Melo showed appreciation to the local fans on Twitter: “Many thanks to the fans, family, and teammates of #ProjectSuma, for their support during the match”
