MÁLAGA. Dreamland Gran Canaria secured a memorable victory in the Liga Endesa, defeating Unicaja 100-101 in overtime. Led by Isaiah Wong's 29 points, the island team trailed by six points with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation but mounted a heroic comeback to seal a crucial win in their fight to escape the bottom of the standings, while Unicaja's playoff position grows more precarious.
The game started with a dominant Unicaja, sharp from beyond the arc and building an early lead from the opening tip. The Málaga squad put together a 16-4 run in the first five minutes, backed by a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range that caught Dreamland Gran Canaria off guard. The hosts built a lead as large as fifteen points, imposing pace and energy at the Martín Carpena.
However, Dreamland Gran Canaria remained composed. The visiting team grew into the game with a more organized and efficient approach, punishing every Unicaja miscue. While Unicaja began to rush on offense and relied too heavily on three-pointers, the Canary Islanders steadily cut into the deficit to trail by just one point at halftime (44-43), following a highly competitive second quarter.
The third period maintained constant back-and-forth action. Unicaja tried to accelerate the pace and found some breathing room with a Tyson Pérez three-pointer for 57-50, but Dreamland Gran Canaria answered time and again. The visitors embraced the game's high tempo and found opportunities in transition. Amid missed shots on both sides and near-perfect parity, the contest remained wide open heading into the decisive minutes.
https://youtu.be/se_f2EeWlCM?si=UiSVRqq_byyR5nto
Just when the Unicaja squad seemed to be running out of options, Isaiah Wong appeared with a three-pointer and then Metu with a basket to restore hope (79-77). Still, Kendrick Perry appeared to seal the game with two three-pointers and a jump shot that put Unicaja up 87-81 with just over a minute remaining.
But the final comeback was extraordinary. Dreamland Gran Canaria went from 87-81 to 87-87 with back-to-back three-pointers, first from Metu and then from Wong, silencing the Martín Carpena and forcing an unexpected overtime when the home victory seemed decided.
In the extra period, the exchange of blows continued, with each possession loaded with tension. Small details gradually tilted the game toward the visiting side until the final outcome. Olek Balcerowski had free throw opportunities for Unicaja, but a shooting foul on Carlos Alocén with just two-tenths of a second on the clock changed everything. The point guard didn't miss and converted both free throws to seal the final 100-101.
Isaiah Wong's 29 points were crucial in sustaining Dreamland Gran Canaria's comeback, supported by Metu's impact and Alocén's composure down the stretch. For Unicaja, they let slip a game they had controlled for long stretches.
With this result, Dreamland Gran Canaria takes a huge step in the Liga Endesa to gain breathing room in the standings, while Unicaja suffers another setback that further tightens their fight to secure a playoff spot.