It takes a season of sweat to get to this point: the Final Four. Globalcaja CB Cuenca faces the key stretch of the season this weekend, which will decide which team will move up to the EBA league, the great ambition of the people of Cuenca in recent years. They will play the semi-final against EBA -Albacete- on Saturday, May 13 at 7:45 pm at the venue chosen for this all-round clash: the Azuqueca de Henares. On the other hand, BAZU Azudense and CB Villarrobledo are waiting, looking for a second place for the final that will be played on Sunday the 14th at 6:00 PM.
“For sure we can say it is the best moment of the season”, acknowledged CB Cuenca coach Tino Antolinez. Both emotionally and sportingly, it is clear that the team comes into good shape, however, although they have had some ups and downs throughout the season, it has been in the last month that they are finding the regularity they need. Was looking for This was backed up in the first round of the playoffs, when they successfully defeated Baskets Quintner B in both games. “They’re all at a very high level, defending and scoring, leaving everything on the court. We played these two games close to last year’s level”, celebrates Antolinez.
This is confirmed by the numbers, as a supporting team is also being seen in which everyone plays their part to earn Corral victory. Although in some matches he has been defined by the scorer, Antolinez has now highlighted how important it is that everyone contributes: “We do much better when someone does not score 30 points, but many score. 15. We have four players up in these qualifiers. 10 points. We have guys with the ability to score and sacrifice, because when you have to defend they pitch”, he declared.
Promotional objective
Unlike last year, when three teams were promoted due to the reorganization of the EBA league, this season only one will touch the crown. “I would be deceiving you if I told you that our goal is not to move up. It is very difficult, but of course we want to move up, do our best and compete. I think If this team competes, they have nothing to fear,” he warned.
Regarding this first clash with the EBA of Albacete, which comes after a practically spotless league-two defeats-, he identifies a tremendously difficult opponent, but on the other hand, “attainable and with characteristics that Not bad for us at all”. In general, the coach of Gijón points out that this is probably the most successful Final Four in recent years.
The last Dance?
This Final Four would mean, a priori, goodbyes to many players in the squad. Although in the past it was common to see how the block changed almost completely in each campaign, in recent seasons it has managed to maintain itself, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the good level offered. For work and student reasons – it must be remembered that there are no signings in the team, but they are all from Cuenca – there will be important players like Jaime, Novillo or Ojeda, who will say goodbye, among others. End of this promotional phase. Antolinez, knowing that this is a non-professional category in which it is normal to prioritize studies and work, sees this as something natural, although it also opens a window for him to change his mind. He commented, “You don’t have to believe everything because experience has shown us that many of the people who say they are leaving in February are staying.” “A last dance, isn’t it?”, he remarks between laughs, musing about the possibility that he would remain if promoted to EBA. Without thinking yet of what might happen next season, and focusing solely on this weekend, this generation of CB Cuenca can carry on the work of these years and put the finishing touches on it.
