Nico Laprovittola never truly left Badalona. Seven years after leaving Penya to play for Madrid and Barça, the Argentine player starred in another memorable night wearing the green-and-black jersey. The shooting guard dominated with 27 points and 10 assists in Asisa Joventut's victory against Kosner Baskonia (96-84) and put the host team one step away from the Supercopa Endesa title. Their opponent in the final will be Barça. His former team.“We have done the job we wanted and the team has been very solid. We have a great opportunity and we must continue with the same mentality. If there is one thing I have had throughout my career it is confidence and the decision to return to Badalona was easy. I am in the place where I want to be,” analyzed Laprovittola. The Argentine counted on the complicity of Ricky Rubio, who added 13 points and 6 rebounds. “Laprovittola has played a great game. As a teammate and fan, it is very beautiful to see the magic he has in his hands. We are at a moment in our careers where we want to enjoy ourselves and I think we will do so this year. We want to continue with a project that is exciting and we are building great chemistry with the fans of Badalona,” acknowledged the Catalan.Asisa Joventut recovered from an 8-point deficit against Kosner Baskonia thanks to Laprovittola. The Argentine, who understood the semifinal like no one else, turned around the dynamics of the first half in a third quarter in which he spread his accuracy to a green-and-black team that did not waste its opportunity. “We started the season with a good game in front of our fans. We are far from our level, but Nico brings a lot of fuel to our game,” said Dani Miret, coach of Asisa Joventut. Kosner Baskonia went from more to less in a semifinal that became long for them. “We lacked a bit of energy and knowledge of the game,” lamented Paolo Galbiati, coach of the Basque team.

One is 35 years old and the other 36, but the excitement they generate is priceless. Asisa Joventut has started competing with Ricky Rubio and Nico Laprovittola, a duo that has sparked the optimism of a green-and-black fanbase eager to experience strong emotions. La Penya debuted with a loss against iLerna Lleida in the Catalan National League (89-84), but its followers have high hopes placed on this season.

The story of Emir Sulejmanovic is one that moves. The new Asisa Joventut player was born on July 13, 1995, two days after the Srebrenica massacre, where at least 8,000 Bosnian men were murdered. From adolescents to the elderly. "My life was very complicated from a young age. What was experienced in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a tragedy. The city of Srebrenica bore the brunt, as it was bombed," recalls the green-and-black pivot.

Asisa Joventut's season ended with applause from fans proud of their performance. La Penya lost to a much superior Valencia Basket (75-87) and was eliminated from the title race (3-0). Hampered by their low three-point shooting percentages, La Penya fell short of points and was not enough with a good performance from Ricky Rubio, who couldn't hold back tears, and Jabari Parker. "I gave my all, we made a brutal effort. We've built a team to be proud of and that's what we'll take away. We competed and showed a good image, but we ran out of steam," explained Dani Miret. The orange team will play the final against Barça.

Memorable night with a cruel ending. An Asisa Joventut, as brave as they were consistent, opened the semifinals with an overtime loss against Valencia Basket (118-117). Cameron Hunt missed the decisive shot and La Penya did not complete a feat they deserved more than ever. The green-and-black team scored 18 three-pointers at the Roig Arena, where the good game from Ricky Rubio and Jabari Parker went unrewarded. "We played a great game, but we didn't get the prize," said Dani Miret. "La Penya played an impressive game, but we managed to force overtime and get the win," acknowledged Pedro Martínez.

The more mature version of Asisa Joventut eliminated Kosner Baskonia in the decisive quarter-final match (88-96). La Penya took advantage of their accuracy in outside shooting to book their ticket to play in the ACB League semi-finals, where Valencia Basket already awaits. Dani Miret's brave proposal paid off in Vitoria, where Ricky Rubio, Ludde Hakanson, Simon Birgander, and Jabari Parker put on a show. "We had to play an excellent game and we did," said the coach. The game had the tension and fight that the final stretch of the second match hinted at.the final stretch of the second match.

Asisa Joventut wanted to make a big splash, but fell short in Vitoria (85-71). La Penya couldn't compete against the physical level of Kosner Baskonia, who took advantage of the last quarter to wear down the green-and-black team and leave them with no options. "We competed for 30 minutes, but we ended up below the minimums. Our legs and heads failed us against an opponent with more gas," summarized Dani Miret.

Hard blow. Asisa Joventut lost on AEK Athens' court (72-67). The green-and-black team couldn't manage an eight-point lead and was eliminated from the Basketball Champions League. Two final referee decisions, a mistaken throw-in and an uncalled foul, harmed the Catalan team, which was left unable to compete in the final four in Badalona.

When Badalona beats strongly, La Penya dreams big. Asisa Joventut ran over AEK Athens to plant its flag in Europe, where it is one victory away from reaching the final four of the Basketball Champions League. Led by Ricky Rubio, the home team put on a display of strength (88-66). The quarter-final tie, which is tied at one win each, will be decided on Wednesday, April 15th, in Greece.