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oct 28 2026San Pablo Burgos needed a win to stay alive in the EuroCup and failed again. Porfi Fisac's team lost at home to Rigas Zelli, a direct rival in the fight for the Group A playoff spot, and has now suffered four consecutive losses in Europe. With a 1-4 record, qualification is looking increasingly difficult.
A Poor Start
The game started badly for Burgos, who conceded an early 0-9 run. San Pablo reacted in time and closed the first quarter with a four-point lead, but the second quarter was an exchange of blows with several lead changes. A long three-pointer from Ivans Tkačenko put Zelli ahead at halftime (35-39).
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Zelli Pulls Away After Halftime
The game was decided at the start of the third quarter. The Latvian team tightened their defense, found points easily, and built a lead as large as 12 points. San Pablo cut into the deficit somewhat before the fourth quarter, but entered it down eight and never found a way to get back into the game.
Steward, with 18 points, and Taboada, with 16, were the only ones who kept San Pablo's offense afloat. For Zelli, Tkačenko and Varns scored 15 each, and Ben Shungu added 13 points and 7 assists. Zelli, the first Latvian club in the EuroCup since 2015, now has three wins in five matchdays.
