BURGOS
The Hereda San Pablo Burgos already knows the path that leads to the Final 8 of the Basketball Champions League, a path much more winding than it may seem on paper. The Castilians raise their guard and warn of the dangers to avoid throughout the next month of March.
The reigning tournament champion has no reason to regret the result of the draw held yesterday afternoon at the FIBA Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Switzerland. In the same way, the club demands the utmost caution because each day will be a trap.
The team led by Joan Peñarroya will compete in Group J alongside Lenovo Tenerife, Bosnian Igokea and Latvian VEF Riga. In theory, a negotiable table is presented with the Spanish representatives as favorites to secure the two places for the final phase. However, the locals don’t trust their uncomfortable traveling companions one hair.
Tenerife meet again with the Burgos. This duel will also take place next Thursday, February 11, in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey and will now be repeated in the Basketball Champions League twice. As if that were not enough, on March 13 they will be measured in the league. A whole level test for a Hereda San Pablo Burgos that will be seen with a team already located in the European elite on its own merits.
“It is clear that Tenerife is one of the great favorites to win the title and we are going to meet many times in a short period of time,” says Albano Martínez.
Far from lamenting, the sporting director and manager of the Burgos team is confident that this crossing can be repeated on more occasions in the decisive phase of the season -Final at 8 and ACB playoffs-. “Hopefully we end up saturated with facing each other because it means that we will continue to advance in competitions. It would be a blessed problem, “says the executive.
The couple formed by Huertas and Shermadini is the great reference of an aurinegro project that is presented as one of the main alternatives to the large continental projects and that already won the BCL in 2017. In addition, the presence of old acquaintances such as Bruno Fitipaldo and Álex López will bring the emotional touch to these clashes.
Assuming the leading role of Tenerife in the second phase of the European competition, Hereda San Pablo Burgos does not renounce anything. In the same way, the Castilians share that ambition with the prudence that an international tournament demands.
“If Igokea and Riga are here, it is for something,” recalls Albano Martínez, who highlights the potential of the Bosnian team. «To begin with, you have to bear in mind that it is a long journey. In addition, it has an interesting team made up of proven players in European basketball such as Clemmons or Carmichael and future players with a high level like Edin Atic ”, he explains.
The sports director of Hereda San Pablo Burgos is very aware of the role played by Igokea both in the Adriatic League and in the Basketball Champions League, where he surpassed an initial group in which Hapoel Jerusalem was left out.
“It is a complicated table and no game will be easy,” insists Albano. Following this line, Riga starts as another threat because it has nothing to lose. «Latvian basketball is progressing. Their squad may not have the names of other teams, but they have young players with a lot of talent and if they have passed the round it is their merit, ”he said.
SANCHO «Things are already taken for granted that are very complicated»
No one knows better than Félix Sancho how much it costs to reach the heights conquered by his Hereda San Pablo Burgos. The Castilian team will choose for the second consecutive year to seek a place in the final phase of the BCL, but it will not be easy. “It is a complicated group and our obligation is to compete in each game with the aim of going to the next round and doing our best,” he explains.
The leader always shows an ambitious speech, but without losing perspective. “We are very aware of where we come from and who we are. Things are going well and many things are already taken for granted that are very difficult to achieve, “he warns. The team will do their best to dodge the trap in a cool new continental adventure for the fan.
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