UEMC Real Valladolid Basketball returns to action after the FIBA Windows break. After winning on the Hestia Menorca field and adding the third victory of the season, Lolo Encinas’ men, after a break, will try to make their home debut in Pisuerga by hosting the Inveready Gipuzkoa Basket (Saturday, 18.00 hours)a team that has the same balance as the Blanquivioleta and a rival called to also fight for playoff positions.
This being the case and although the impasse of the competition seemed transcendental to recover troops, the truth is that the competitive break, not from work, does not allow the UEMC RVB to add many more to the cause again. Gert Suvi Yes, he will be available again and in full condition to contribute his grain of sand to the internal game, and Mike Torres He will wear shorts again after many months out, but in principle he will not participate in the rotation. AND Those who will not do so with complete certainty are Shemar Wilson, Amanze Egekeze and Jaan Puidet. Once again decimated by losses, but prepared to make the most of a fair rotation.
In this way, two teams with identical balance and called to fight for playoff positions meet at the Pisuerga Sports Center. 3-5 is the record of Valladolid and San Sebastian, with the former facing the duel after a superb comeback and victory in Menorca (65-67)while the seconds arrive having chained three consecutive defeats against three of the top candidates: Monbus Obradoiro (77-86), Silbö San Pablo Burgos (90-68) and Flexicar Fuenlabrada (71-81).
At the head of the Donostiarras he continues Mikel Odriozolawho was already Nathan Hoover’s coach at Juaristi ISB, in his second consecutive season directing a talented team from the bench that has been displaying fantastic basketball, with clear ideas and a very defined dynamic style.
Operations are directed Aitor Zubizarreta and Mateo Díaztwo point guards with talent, points, good finishers and fast, but with a different profile from each other. Around them on the perimeter they have an outdoor battery in which they are not due to injury Xavier Johnsonone of the most important men of the Guipuzcoans, Mikel Motosfireproof and captain, nor the young Isaac Mayothree players out in the same position. Those who are threatening from the line are Mads Bonde Stürupa classic of Spanish basketball, and Ander Martíneza scoring shooter in a good moment of form.
Close to the zone, although he is also capable of punishing outside, he stands Josip Vrankic as one of the references of the Inveready Gipuzkoa Basket. The Croatian interior has taken a step forward this season and contributes 14.5 points per game from the power forward position, from where he is capable of looking for the post and shooting from further away. But it is not the only danger of Mikel Odriozola in the inside game, since the international one also stands out Jakub Mokran, Javier Nicolau and Pape Bocar Sall.
Looking ahead to the match against his home team, Lolo Encinas spoke about the desire and importance of adding another victory to continue growing in the competition, without obsessing about getting the first at home. “Obsession to win. What I try is to win every game. It is something we have worked on after Menorca. We have to win, let’s see if we can take this away from Pisuerga for winning a basketball game. Let’s remove the word Pisuerga and see if it helps the team. We have to win it, to see if it comes to them without what is at home, Pisuerga, Valladolid. We have to win, the outside mentality, in the last quarters we have finished, and here we are going to win Matchday 9 and take it out. The way the league is, getting two in a row is very important”. And regarding the rival, the UEMC RVB coach highlighted his “dynamism” and play with spaces. “They have the loss of Xavier Johnson which is important, they have a different game, they play very dynamic. Let’s see how we are, the five of them move all the time, they play simple things, but they are very, very good with spaces, with few people standing. Ánder Martínez is a shooting scorer who is playing very well, they have point guards who know the league and Vrankic, who has taken a step forward and does a lot of things and does damage. They go like crazy on the offensive rebound. The rebound war, so that they don’t put too much pressure on us in arrival with their bases and to see if we are ready with any advantage we have. Control Vrankric a lot, which with role changes can hurt us. “We are prepared to compete well.”
The meeting this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at the Pisuerga Sports Center It will be broadcast through the LALIGA+ application and website. The referees will be Olivares Bernabéu, Lizana Moreno and Sierra Carrillo.
