Latest:
may 29 2026MANRESA. BAXI Manresa capped off the 2025-26 season in style with a stunning 94-87 victory over Real Madrid at Nou Congost, a triumph with historic significance as the first home win for Manresa against the white team in 28 years. Diego Ocampo's squad finished the season with 16 wins, while Real Madrid will enter the playoffs as regular season leaders despite suffering five consecutive defeats. Agustín Ubal, Retin Obasohan, and Pierre Oriola led the home victory, while Mario Hezonja shined with 32 points for Madrid.
The game started with numerous offensive mistakes from both teams, though BAXI Manresa found their rhythm early thanks to the drive of Dani Pérez, who was playing his final game in the red jersey. The home side managed to open a small lead in the opening minutes and maintained the initiative despite Madrid's reaction fueled by three-pointers from Mario Hezonja and Alberto Abalde.
The energy of the Catalan squad made the difference in the closing stretch of the first quarter. With their usual pace of play and taking advantage of transition opportunities, the home team closed the period with a seven-point lead (26-19), capped off by a three-pointer at the buzzer from Retin Obasohan that ignited Nou Congost.
The second quarter maintained the same dynamic. Manresa showed more aggression and focus on both ends of the floor, progressively extending their lead. A three-pointer from Agustín Ubal pushed the difference to eleven points, and later Ferran Bassas punished from beyond the arc to make it 48-33, forcing Sergio Scariolo to call a timeout given the obvious home dominance.
Still, Real Madrid reacted before halftime. Hezonja took on offensive responsibility and allowed the white team to cut into the deficit, though BAXI Manresa maintained control of the scoreboard to head to the locker room with an eight-point advantage (56-48).
After the halftime break came one of the most tense moments of the night. Ömer Yurtseven was ejected following an angry protest to the referees just three minutes into the third quarter.
Despite the blow, Real Madrid kept their composure and found in Hezonja the path back into the game. The Croatian small forward led Madrid's comeback to bring his team to within one point (62-61), forcing Manresa to withstand the visiting pressure.
The white team had several opportunities to take their first lead of the night, but failed to capitalize on their chances. A final bucket from Chuma Okeke allowed Real Madrid to close the third quarter just one point behind (74-73), leaving everything to play for in the final ten minutes.
The fourth quarter began with another controversial moment. Sergio Scariolo was ejected after receiving a second technical foul, leaving the team's direction in the hands of Luis Gil. BAXI Manresa took advantage of Madrid's confusion to regain ground, and a three-pointer from Álex Reyes reopened a significant gap (83-75).
However, Real Madrid clung to Hezonja once again. The Croatian, unstoppable throughout the night, tied the game at 85 with three minutes still to play and seemed to be launching the visitors toward another comeback.
But Nou Congost had prepared a perfect farewell for its team. In the decisive minutes, Obasohan, Ubal, and Oriola appeared once more to restore control to the home side. BAXI Manresa played with greater clarity in the final stretch, punished Madrid's mistakes, and ultimately secured a victory as prestigious as it was historic, 94-87, closing out the season with one of the most memorable nights in recent years in Manresa.
Mario Hezonja was the game's leading scorer with 32 points, while Agustín Ubal added 16 for the home team. Retin Obasohan and Pierre Oriola contributed 14 and 13 points respectively in a victory that allowed BAXI Manresa to bid farewell to their fans with a true celebration. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will face the Liga Endesa playoffs with the need to regain form after stringing together five consecutive defeats.
