First FEB J1: victory in the first game against a great opponent (82-69)
Movistar Estudiantes made its debut at the WiZink Center on the first day of the regular Primera FEB league against one of the strongest players in the competition, Monbus Obradoiro.
The collegiate club arrived with very good feelings, having won all their practice matches in September. Although, as the coach noted before the match, “Starting with this type of match, you already know where you are and what conditions you are in.”.
Diaz, Schmidt, Garino, Andric and Barro formed the first official Primera FEB quintet, chosen by Rivero, at the start of the match with maximum equality. The locals’ scores were very different and they received a quick response (8-9 at 5:43). A string of defeats ensued, which is impossible to do against an opponent like Monbus Obradoiro, as they easily put up an 8-14 score that Rivero had to stop. In the final minutes, some changes on the bench brought the players in blue back into the game: Kravic and Rubio went into the kitchen and put the ball on the bench. 18-18 at the end of the block.
The second quarter began with a three from Granger, followed by a drought on the part of the students – more than 4 minutes without a goal – the opponent took advantage of this to increase the margin easily (21-29), forcing the student coach to call a timeout. From that moment on, the members of Movistar Estudiantes, with Diaz at the helm of the ship, again approached the ring; Despite this, those in white kept their distance midway through the match. 31-39.
Returning from the locker room, the students increased the intensity and physically beat the opponent. Barro inside and Granger outside helped make it 28-16 in the third quarter, stumping Movistar Estudiantes. 59-55.
With 10 minutes remaining to finish the match, the players in blue maintained their focus and character to pull off one of the toughest matches of the first round. Granger’s big outside success helped increase the margin and finish the game with the maximum score on the scoreboard. 82-69.
Ex officio victory for Movistar Estudiantes in a very difficult start to the season. We need to keep working to continue on the same path in the long season ahead.
Next game, also at home, Movistar Estudiantes will face Amyx Castello on Sunday, October 6 at 6:30 pm at the WiZink Center. Tickets are available.
Numbers
Movistar students (18-13-28-23)
Diaz (9), Schmidt (15), Garino (3), Andric (5) and Barro (14) – the starting quintet – Granger (20), Sola (-), Alonso (3), Giovannetti (-), Alderete ( -), Rubio (9) and Kravic (4).
Monbus Obradoiro (18-21-16-14)
Leimanis (17), Davison (11), Quintela (10), Galan (11) and Stevic (3) – starting quintet – Arroyo (4), Rigo (-), Jimenez (7), Hargindey (-), Mikovic ( -) Stevens (6) and Onuetu (-).
Full statistics.
WiZink Center welcomed X number of spectators on the first day of the league.
Press conference
MVP: Jason Granger
The club’s first MVP of the season was Jason Granger with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and a PIR of 28.
