Spanish Liga Endesa Round 4 Recap
Laboral Kutxa vs. Bilbao Basket, 86-74
After only four rounds of regular season action in the Spanish Liga Endesa, the cream has already risen to the top. League powerhouses Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are still perfect with 4-0 slates. Unicaja Malaga joins both teams as the last remaining team to not face defeat this 2014/15. It didn’t take much effort for Barcelona to put away Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian in a low scoring affair, 43-57. Barcelona outclassed their hosts on the defensive end and were able to easily control the game from the beginning. They handed Gipuzkoa its fourth consecutive loss this season. Gipuzkoa joins Baloncesto Sevilla as the only clubs still unable to get a notch in their win column so far. Real Madrid got a stiffer challenge from Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias, relatively speaking. They overcame a 21-point, 11-rebound game from Iberostar’s Blagota Sekulic, to prevail 82-93 in the end. This was another successful implementation of their fast-paced offense which translated into open shots from beyond the arc and open shots.
Bilbao Basket suffered its first loss this 2014/15. This one was on the road against Laboral Kutxa Vitoria, which managed to protect its home court with the 86-74 win. Baskonia’s Fernando San Emeterio stayed aggressive throughout the game and his constant attack at the rim allowed him to draw 10 fouls from his defenders, which he parlayed into a 6-0f-7 shooting night from the free-throw line. UCAM Murcia, Rio Natura Monbus and Valencia Basket join Bilbao Basket in the group of teams that currently have 3-1 records. UCAM Murcia was responsible for keeping Baloncesto Sevilla without a win. UCAM Murcia seized the advantage from the opening minutes and dominated the game thereafter, ending in a 98-68 outcome. UCAM Murcia’s bombarded Sevilla with six triples for the night to finish with 20 points off the bench.
Overall, it was a good night for Spanish hoops with entertaining basketball action for fans from all over. The season is still young and surely there will be some surprising changes in the standings that can be expected further down the road. For now, teams are looking to take down the three league leaders and hand them their first loss via an upset.
Here are the full scores and results for the night:
La Buixa d’Or Manres vs. MoraBanc Andorra, 88-80
Gran Canaria 2014 vs. Unicaja Malaga, 67-74
Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian vs. FC Barcelona, 43-57
FIATC Joventut Baladona vs. Rio Natura Monbus Obradorio CAB, 72-78
Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias vs. Real Madrid, 82-93
Valencia Basket vs. Tuenti Movil Estudiantes Madrid, 84-67
Baloncesto Fuenlabrada vs. CAI Zaragoza, 67-69
UCAM Murcia vs. Baloncesto Sevilla, 98-68
Laboral Kutxa Vitoria vs. Bilbao Basket, 86-74