Gonzalo García de Vitoria’s side have shown good offensive basketball in their three preparation games, although several defensive aspects still need to be improved, particularly the lapses in concentration that can lead to defeat in a competitive game. Despite those shortcomings, the positive elements have highlighted the offensive firepower this group can possess, especially from three-point range, with Justin Jaworski standing out in that area.
The Basque coach will be able to count on every member of the squad except Jilson Bango, who has already undergone knee surgery. All the other players are available as the team continues to build momentum and put the pieces together ahead of their ACB debut on September 27 against La Laguna Tenerife. Their final preparation game will be the José Luis Abós Memorial on September 20 against UCAM Murcia.
THE OPPONENT: ELAN BEARNAIS PAU LACQ ORTHEZ
The only opponent not competing in the ACB during this preseason will be French side Elan Bearnais Pau Lacq Orthez, a club that returned to the top flight of French basketball last season. Coached by Mickael Hay, the team’s roster consists mostly of local players, complemented by American players in a squad of just 10.
The French club is one of the historic teams in the country, although its glory years are now well behind it, as its best period came in the 1980s and early 1990s, when it won the Korac Cup in 1984, three French League titles and three French Cups.
Their honours include nine league titles, three cups, one Super Cup and the Korac Cup, showing that they were once one of Europe’s best teams and now want to return to the elite after last season’s promotion.
