ACB: Surne Bilbao Clinches Playoff Spot with Competitive Win Over Bàsquet Girona (86-80)

BILBAO. Surne Bilbao Basket will head into the final matchday of the Liga Endesa with a chance to secure their playoff berth after defeating Bàsquet Girona 86-80 in a back-and-forth contest decided in the closing stretch thanks to Melwin Pantzar's leadership and Darrun Hilliard's three-point shooting.

Jaume Ponsarnau's squad had to battle for much of the game against a disciplined, uncomfortable, and highly competitive Girona side, who once again found their key interior reference in Martinas Geben. The Lithuanian center dominated near the basket and kept the visitors alive practically until the final buzzer.

The opening belonged clearly to Moncho Fernández's team. Bilbao took time to find offensive rhythm and Girona capitalized on those doubts to quickly pull ahead on the scoreboard with solid ball movement and Susinskas's three-point accuracy. The visitors built significant leads in the opening minutes against a somewhat cold Miribilla.

The entry of the second unit changed the scenario. Pantzar elevated the intensity of the game, Font contributed points and energy, and the home team began to run with more fluidity. Gradually, Surne Bilbao evened out the contest and managed to take the lead before halftime, though never quite breaking away.

Every time the Bilbao players seemed to find comfortable separation, Geben appeared to sustain Girona. The big man dominated the offensive glass and continuously punished in the paint, allowing the Catalan squad to stay close on the scoreboard.

After the halftime break, the game leveled out again. Needham took charge of the offense and Girona even recovered the lead midway through the fourth quarter.

A three-pointer from Geben made it 64-71 and set off alarms at Bilbao Arena.
That's when the best version of the Basque team appeared. Pantzar assumed responsibility in playmaking and Hilliard punished from beyond the arc at crucial moments. Together they led the decisive comeback for the home side, who put together a devastating run to flip the game and enter the final two minutes with enough cushion to control the closing minutes.

The victory allows Surne Bilbao to continue defending their playoff position before visiting La Laguna Tenerife on the final matchday. Girona, despite competing at a high level for much of the game, could not avoid another defeat.