Real Madrid Dominates Unicaja at Carpena (74-113) to Retain Costa del Sol Trophy

Real Madrid claimed their seventh Costa del Sol Tournament title by overwhelming Unicaja (74-113) at Palacio Martín Carpena, in front of 10,681 spectators. The game remained competitive only during the opening ten minutes.

Ten minutes of local hope

Unicaja clung to the early stages through the talent of Cameron Hunt, their new signing from Joventut, who dismantled Madrid's defense with his drives to the basket: thirteen of his fifteen points came in the first quarter, which ended 27-25.

It didn't last long. A 2-17 run to start the second period opened up the game, with clear white superiority in the paint and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot creating his own shots. That quarter ended in a devastating 9-30, and halftime arrived with a nineteen-point lead.

The second half brought no change. Txus Vidorreta's team continued giving playing time to their new additions and working on system integration, but without any defensive resistance.

Unicaja's problem has a name

Here lies the takeaway that goes beyond a friendly. Madrid's interior physical superiority was absolute against a Unicaja team that continues waiting for the signing of a defensive intimidator at that position.

It's their unfinished business from the summer, and this game made it clear.
On Málaga's side, Kendrick Perry scored 16 points, Hunt 15, and Willy Hernangómez 11.

A well-distributed Madrid

Theo Maledon led Madrid's scorers with 19 points and Luwawu-Cabarrot added 16, in what is his second strong performance of the tournament following his 26 and 27 efficiency ratings against La Laguna Tenerife. Facundo Campazzo contributed 15, Olivier Sarr 11, and Chuma Okeke and Gaby Deck 10 each.

The distribution is significant: twelve players scored and seven surpassed six points. Damian Jones, in his second game as a white, contributed 6.

Pedro Martínez's team thus closes their preparation and faces their first commitment: the EuroLeague SuperCup semifinal against Dubai Basketball on Friday the 18th at 18:45. Unicaja, meanwhile, will play another friendly on Thursday the 17th against UCAM Murcia.