Baxi Manresa will play San Pablo Burgos this Sunday at 5pm, hoping a victory will secure their place in the ACB basketball league. The match, held in Manresa, follows a recent run of improved results for the Catalan team.
Weeks ago, this fixture was seen as critical for survival. Manresa fans planned a pre-game parade to show support during a difficult spell. Before their game against Joventut, the relegation zone was only two wins away. However, wins against Joventut and last week in Bilbao have created a buffer, making a win against Burgos potentially decisive.
Securing their league status would allow Baxi Manresa to focus on their remaining six games, aiming for the best possible position for next season's European tournaments. The team faces new injury concerns, a recurring issue this season. Eli Brooks is out with a muscle injury, and Louis Olinde is doubtful after a knock received in Bilbao. Retin Obasohan returns, however, with both hands now fully recovered from an ankle sprain.
Burgos Fights Relegation
San Pablo Burgos has climbed out of the deepest relegation trouble but remains in a fight to avoid the penultimate spot, currently occupied by Andorra, with Gran Canaria also involved. Burgos coach Porfirio Fisac hopes to have point guard Max Heidegger back for the game, and expects Raúl Neto and Juan Rubio, who were previously doubtful, to be in good condition.
Manresa coach Diego Ocampo described Burgos as "a quality team that has strengthened very well and plays very fast. They will demand the best from us." He added that Burgos "are the team that plays the most possessions and offensive actions in the league. They have a lot of defensive activity and quality, with many points in their hands, especially with the two players they have signed recently, Schackelford and Heidegger."
Focus on Defence and Rebounding
Ocampo stressed the need for his team to be prepared to play every minute with quality and a strong mentality. He stated that the dressing room does not discuss securing permanence because "it distracts us. We must defend the direct block and close the rebound every time. That is what we must focus on."
He acknowledged defensive improvements in the team due to two factors: "The incorporation of more players. With Olinde and Dani Pérez, everything is easier because they give you a lot of level." The second factor is training, as "by doing it, you improve things and we compete better." For Sunday, Manresa must defend the basic aspects of the game, as San Pablo has strong players in one-on-one situations and on offensive rebounds. The team will also rely on fan support, to which Ocampo said they "must respond with a very good effort and return all their help."
