Jassel Pérez needed just thirteen minutes to show why FIATC Girona signed him. Seventeen points and a 22 rating in his debut, with an impactful entry that shifted the game's momentum. The Girona squad closed their preseason with a 103-95 victory over iLerna Lleida in San Hilario Sacalm.
A game with half the roster out
Absences shaped the approach for both teams. Lleida played without Darius McGhee, dealing with physical issues, and without Diagne, though they got back point guard Dani García and center Kuath. Girona, meanwhile, was without Isaac Vázquez, Maxi Fjellerup, and Aljaz Kunc.
The shift in momentum
Mac McClung had the early spotlight, but Pérez's entry flipped the scoreboard (21-19) and the Girona side stayed ahead through the end of the first quarter at 29-22.
The second period saw lower scoring and a tie (48-41), with Pérez and Martinas Geben standing out for Girona. For Lleida, Zacharie Perrin posted 8 points and 4 rebounds for a 12 rating in that first half, though he disappeared after halftime.
The run and the comeback
The third quarter was Girona's best. Moncho Fernández's squad prevented Lleida from running and a three-pointer from Geben put the game's largest lead at 60-43.
Lleida didn't give up. Gerard Encuentra's team entered the final stretch with more intensity and three-point accuracy, getting within three points (94-91) at 3:32 remaining. In that tight finish, a final Girona surge made it 100-91 and sealed the 103-95 final.