BC MoraBanc Andorra Faces Relegation After Six Straight Liga ACB Losses
Coach Joan Plaza stays defiant as team sits second-bottom with 4-12 record, one win above drop zone, marking one-year since coaching change.
Key Points
- Six consecutive losses leave MoraBanc 4-12, one win clear of relegation.
- Blew 18-point lead vs. Río Breogán Lugo, lost 101-104 on buzzer-beater.
- Thursday: One year since firing Natxo Lezkano; Plaza debuted with initial wins but now struggling.
- Upcoming: Visit BAXI Manresa; past two wins there but key players gone.
**BC MoraBanc Andorra faces relegation pressure after six straight losses, marking one-year anniversary of coaching change**
BC MoraBanc Andorra coach Joan Plaza remains defiant despite six consecutive defeats in Liga ACB, leaving the team one victory clear of the drop zone. The squad sits second from bottom with four wins and 12 losses after 16 rounds, holding a points difference of -136.
Plaza dismissed concerns about his energy levels following Saturday's 101-104 home loss to Río Breogán Lugo. The team squandered an 18-point third-quarter lead (69-51), conceding a buzzer-beating three-pointer after a turnover by Kyle Kuric. "I have plenty of strength," Plaza said, noting injuries had forced some players to compete while compromised. He highlighted positive elements in the Lugo defeat but stressed the need to eliminate recurring lapses.
Thursday marks the first anniversary of predecessor Natxo Lezkano's dismissal on 22 January 2024, when MoraBanc had just two wins in its last 12 games—five overall from 17 outings. Lezkano departed after an 84-100 loss to Real Madrid, tied on points with Coviran Granada and Bàsquet Girona but safe via tiebreaker. Plaza debuted four days later with an 86-75 defeat at Casademont Zaragoza, then secured three straight wins en route to a 14-20 finish and 11th place.
Recent reinforcements Justin McKoy and Aaron Best, signed late December at club president Gorka Aixàs's initiative, starred against Lugo despite the collapse. On Sunday (noon), MoraBanc visits BAXI Manresa at Nou Congost, coached by Diego Ocampo with ex-Andorra guard Ferran Bassas. Manresa, two wins better off, lost 130-85 at Baskonia last time out. MoraBanc has won its past two trips there under Lezkano: 90-97 on 20 April 2024 (Jerrick Harding 26 points, Jean Montero 16) and 107-111 on 14 December 2024 (Harding 36, Nikos Chougkaz 16). Neither Harding nor Montero remains on the roster.
Separately, MoraBanc Andorra Escaldes-Engordany's special needs team competed at L’Alqueria del Basket tournament. They lost 3-29 to Club Joventut Badalona–FEDAMAR and beat CB Gran Canaria Proyecto Suma 29-4 on Saturday, then fell 17-21 to Atlas Lleida in Sunday playoffs. Coach Carles Segués praised the "unique experience" and organisation, saying players were thrilled despite the long bus journey.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: