Barça finds the lost shield

BarcelonaDespite the bad omens surrounding them, Barça does not want to throw in the towel prematurely. The blaugrana team overcame a softer UCAM Murcia than imagined (68-91) and will have two opportunities to seal their qualification for the ACB League semifinals. The culé team played a very serious game on a court where no ACB rival had won this 2026.

Xavi Pascual, who ruled out Miles Norris and Juan Núñez and left Willy Hernangómez and Nico Laprovittola without minutes, had the complete team available for the first time this season. Without injuries, the culé team started the

play-off on the right foot. "We are happy, but it will be difficult to close the tie," said the Catalan coach.

Barça started the match eager to respond toSunday's embarrassment. The Blaugrana team took advantage of Juani Marcos's playmaking and 16 points from Darío Brizuela in just 10 minutes to reach halftime with a 16-point lead (30-46).

The visiting team's lead grew to 20 points during the third quarter, in which the home team understood the price of victory (41-61). The home team's efforts and staged performances were unrewarded against a very focused Barça.

Madrid, against the ropes

Real Madrid lost against La Laguna Tenerife (97-94). Jaime Fernández, who scored 17 points in the final minutes and a decisive three-pointer with 4 seconds left, left the white team on the ropes.

Asisa Joventut enters the game this Wednesday (9 PM, DAZN), when they will visit Kosner Baskonia's court. An ambitious Penya wants to repeat the precedent of 2023, when they eliminated the Basque rival. Ante Tomic is the only absence for the green-and-black team.