The Leyma Coruña basketball team is facing a challenging season as they struggle to avoid relegation from the Liga ACB. With recent losses, injuries, and illnesses impacting their roster, the team finds itself precariously positioned before their next game against Baskonia. Head coach Diego Epifanio has voiced concerns over the team's health, but after their performance against Valencia, he remains momentarily optimistic about their capability to rally back.
Their upcoming game against Baskonia, scheduled for Wednesday at 20:00 local time, marks the first time these two teams will compete against each other since Leyma Coruña joined the ACB. Currently, Leyma is at the bottom of the league table with four wins against ten defeats. Following three consecutive losses—most recently to Valencia, Bilbao, and Joventut—the pressure is on as they look to escape the relegation zone.
Despite the challenges, Epifanio's team managed to showcase their fighting spirit against Valencia. The game demonstrated their potential, with 26 of their 32 baskets coming via assists. This reflects the team's ability to work collaboratively, something Crucial for revitalizing their game strategy. Still, the match did expose some weaknesses, particularly their long-range shooting efficiency where they converted only 7 of 25 attempts.
Unfortunately, injuries continue to plague the team. Two key players, Phil Scrubb and Gus Lima, are sidelined with muscle injuries. Epifanio noted, "Ignus [Jakovics] is back with the team, but we’ve lost Álex Hernández for this match, as he hasn’t been able to train properly due to illness." The coach humorously remarked about the team’s situation, stating, "We’re recovering players by one door and losing others out the back." Yet, the urgency to integrate potential new talent to the squad grows stronger, especially following the departure of LJ Figueroa to Greece.
Epifanio is aware of the challenges he faces. Reflecting on the team’s situation, he said, "We are exploring all doors to find the best possible player to sign, but no one should expect him to come on board as the ultimate savior." This highlights the club’s strategy to remain realistic during these trying times.
Looking to the upcoming match against Baskonia, Epifanio is adamant about the need for his team to stay focused, stating, "We need to compete with the players available to us and not dwell on our absences. The moment we give space for excuses, we lose sight of the game itself." His respect for Baskonia’s pedigree is evident as he notes, "They are traditionally strong and are still capable competitors even when they face difficulties. Pablo Laso has done great work with the team, making them formidable."
Baskonia itself has been experiencing struggles this season with six wins and eight losses but remains one of the more storied franchises within the league. After losing to Real Madrid recently, they too are fighting to stay relevant within the competitive ACB environment. The pressure is on both teams as Leyma seeks to avoid relegation, thereby setting up for a thrilling clash at the Buesa Arena.
Looking back at the historical perspective, Leyma Coruña has rarely found themselves so low on the league table so soon. Their struggle takes them back to the 2018 season when they last faced bleak circumstances. Just six years ago, they noted the importance of every game, as the relegation battle becomes fierce. Historical data shows how significant wins can pull teams to safety and how easily the tide shifts with just one strong performance. Epifanio will need to draw from this history to inspire his current roster to perform above expectations.
Despite the rocky season, there are glimmers of hope illustrated through moments of sheer effort and teamwork. "We made great strides even under duress against top-tier talent like Valencia. The cooperation and resilience displayed are encouraging as we prepare for Baskonia, and hopefully, we can convert this spirit to victories," said Epifanio. This determination to combat through adversity suggests there remains potential within the squad.
Moving forward, the Leyma Coruña are committed to improving their practice routines and building team chemistry as the season progresses. The performance at training sessions and their ability to bounce back from losses will attribute greatly to their fate this season. "We need to bring back some normalcy to our routines, and with unity and commitment, we can push through to find success," concluded Epifanio.
With each game impacting Leyma’s potential future within the ACB, they must note the growing concern of relegation come season’s end. The outpouring of energy and teamwork within each game will determine their ultimate success as they navigate the tumultuous waters of professional basketball.