Leyma Coruña Advances to F4 Final with 91-82 Victory Over Palencia

A packed Coliseum witnessed the first semifinal of the ACB Promotion F4. Leyma Coruña defeated Súper Agropal Palencia 91-82 in a competitive matchup that saw the Palencia squad fight hard before elimination. The final will be played tomorrow at 7:00 PM.

Súper Agropal Palencia started with considerable uncertainty, turning the ball over on their first possession and struggling in their early offensive possessions. As the first quarter progressed, Natxo Lezkano's squad, led by Kamba, managed to equalize a scoreline that never reflected a significant advantage for either team. Both squads had difficulty scoring, with Palencia closing the quarter at 6/15 from the field while Coruña finished at 6/16. 20-16

The second quarter was marked by poor three-point shooting from both teams, a trend that would persist throughout the game. This kept the score close with both sides shooting inefficiently. However, late in the period, consecutive three-pointers from Coruña's Pacheco and Jorgensen gave the home team hope for improved outside shooting in the second half. Jakovics hit Palencia's second three-pointer of the game to close the quarter, giving his team the lead. Following a lengthy pause due to a shot clock malfunction, the quarter ended 38-40 (18-24).

Lezkano's squad returned with excellent momentum. They built a maximum seven-point lead with a three-pointer from Wintering that, had it gone in, would have been the first time either team broke the ten-point barrier. However, the American point guard's shot fell short, and Coruña regrouped and began to take the lead. Late in the quarter, Kunkel fell to the floor with an injury, leaving the game unable to put weight on his foot with two medical staff members assisting him. The quarter ended 66-61 (28-21).

The final quarter began with Coruña extending their lead to ten points. Carles Marco's team saw their advantage trimmed from a safe distance, never in danger of falling behind. Jorgensen answered with a deep three-pointer to restore the ten-point cushion for the home team, and the rest of the game was merely a formality until reaching the final score of 92-81. (26-20)

Game Standouts:

Josip Vrankic led Palencia in efficiency with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Mathieu Kamba also delivered a notable performance, leading his team with 18 points despite not scoring in the final quarter.

For Coruña, Caio Pacheco was the leading scorer with 25 points and 4 assists. Paul Jorgensen also deserves mention for his crucial performance in important moments, sealing the game with key three-pointers.

Box Score:
Leyma Coruña:
Didac Cuevas Simarro (0), Paul Anders Jorgensen (15), Guillem Jou Coll (9), Macachi Buanga Braz NJ, Strahinja Micovic (0), Caio De Souza Pacheco (25), Danilo Brnovic NJ, Ilimane Diop Gaye (11), Joseph Robert Cremo (10), Serigne M M Sy Dit Diamil (6), Abdou Thiam (4), Jacobo Diaz Alejano (12).
Head Coach: Carles Marco Viñas

Súper Agropal Palencia:
Alec Martin Wintering (11), Adam Terrence Kunkel (5), Tobias Carl Peter Borg (5), Xabier Oroz Uria (4), Ingus Jakovics (12), Mathieu Nkongolo Kamba (18), Manuel Rodriguez (1), Josip Vrankic (16), Mladen Armus (5), Vasilije Vucetic (3), Alvaro Muñoz Borchers (1), Gilad Levy NJ.
Head Coach: Ignacio Lezcano Moya