MoraBanc Andorra Falls 98-102 in OT to Surne Bilbao, Stuck in ACB Relegation Zone

MoraBanc Andorra suffered a 98-102 overtime defeat to Surne Bilbao Basket at Pavelló Toni Martí on Saturday, remaining rooted in the ACB relegation zone with six wins and 17 losses. The team sits level with Recoletas Salud San Pablo Burgos but trails Casademont Zaragoza and Dreamland Gran Canaria by one victory, while Hiopos Lleida holds eight wins ahead, with 11 rounds left.

Justin Jaworski dominated for Bilbao with 36 points, including three straight overtime threes that swung momentum early in the extra period. Andorra rallied late but couldn't close out, as Sir'Jabari Rice's buzzer-beater three rimmed out to force OT. Rice led the hosts with 23 points for the third straight game while playing out of position at point guard, alongside Aaron Best's 21 and Artem Pustovyi's 19. Justin McKoy added 11 and Oriol Pons 10. Bilbao's Darrun Hilliard scored 18, Melwin Pantzar 17, with Tryggvi Hlinason and Ondrej Petrasek at 10 each. Quarter scores: 15-25, 42-45, 61-63, 87-87, 98-102.

A mounting injury crisis hampered Andorra throughout. Xavier Castañeda and Rafa Luz sat out entirely—Luz with hamstring issues following an earlier ankle sprain, Castañeda nearing recovery from a three-month hamstring tear. Stan Okoye and Kyle Kuric exited early in the first quarter with knee and undisclosed problems, respectively, after limited play. Shannon Evans returned with a bandaged foot, logging 15 minutes for three points, two assists and one rebound despite ongoing sole discomfort. Rubén Guerrero played through knocks for four points, while Morris Udeze remained sidelined in club tracksuit, with the club quietly seeking his exit after three games out.

Coach Žan Tabak, with just two wins in six games since arriving, highlighted the fight but pointed to a cold start, late turnovers and free-throw misses. He noted Rice's turnovers at point guard but praised the rebounding edge against Bilbao's smaller lineup. Tabak hopes for recoveries ahead of Sunday's 17:00 home game against fourth-placed Baskonia, current Copa del Rey holders pushing for playoffs. "All the injured could be back for the next game," he said, stressing the need to learn and compete nightly. "The hardest part is the injuries—that's what worries me most."

Club president Gorka Aixàs, speaking Monday at a blood donation event at the arena, urged resilience amid the "plague" of issues. "What we have to do is grit our teeth," he said, attributing most injuries to traumatic causes rather than preparation flaws. "We're a team fighting to stay up—we knew that from the start." He left market moves open, pending recovery timelines: "It depends on the terms and severity, which we don't know yet." Aixàs noted the tight standings—one game from teams above, two from others—and called for focus on healing players and winning the next match.

Players echoed determination. Kostas Kostadinov cited a sluggish opening lacking mindset for Bilbao's intensity. Chumi Ortega implored fans: "Don't abandon ship—we need you more than ever." Rubén Guerrero called it a painful home loss in a must-win. With a tough slate ahead—including Baskonia, Real Madrid, Río Breogán, and direct relegation foes—the squad needs at least six more wins for real salvation hopes.