Manresa Rejects Unicaja Offer for Pierre Oriola

Unicaja sought interior reinforcement from Manresa but was turned down. Pierre Oriola confirmed after the victory against Bosna in the EuroCup that the Málaga club made an offer for him, which Kids&Us Manresa has rejected. "Unicaja made an offer for me and the club, for now, has said no. That's all that can be said right now," explained the center in statements gathered by El Ganxo.

"I'm 100% focused on Manresa"

Oriola, the team captain, made clear that the decision is in the club's hands and that he's not thinking about anything else. "For now it's the club that has the say. They said no and that's the end of it. I'm 100% focused on Kids&Us Manresa, I'm very happy here, I'm the captain and I always try to give my best." He also appreciated the interest: "It's something to be grateful for, because it means you're doing good work. That at 34 years old a team like Unicaja is interested in me is something very good."

Manresa has reasons to close the door: Oriola renewed in March through 2028 and is a key piece on a team that stands 5-2 in the EuroCup and just opened its account in the Liga Endesa.

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A Unicaja with paint problems

Unicaja's interest is explained by injuries in their interior game: Tyson Pérez and Yannick Nzosa remain sidelined, and Txus Vidorreta's team, which just added Kevin Knox, stands 3-4 in Liga Endesa after losing in Zaragoza.

A strong start to the season

Oriola started the season with discomfort and missed some games, but since his return he's been playing at a high level. In Liga Endesa he averages 12 points, 5.6 rebounds and 12.6 rating in 21 minutes (5 games). Combined with the EuroCup, according to Gigantes, he's at 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists, with 61% from the field and 44% from three. Last season, in his return to Manresa after a brief stint with Mexican Fuerza Regia, he posted 8.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 12.9 rating in 27 league games.