MoraBanc reunited as six internationals return ahead of trip to Barça
Joan Plaza has a full roster back for Sunday’s ACB visit to Palau Blaugrana as his side look to rebound from a recent loss.
Key Points
- Six players returned from FIBA qualifying: Evans, Okoye, Udeze, Best, Pons and Pustovyi.
- MoraBanc last played on 23 Nov, a 76–83 home defeat to Joventut that ended a two-game winning run.
- Plaza warned Barça are “very active, aggressive” and demanded intensity, continuity and good ball circulation.
- Barcelona under Xavi Pascual boast defensive gains and multiple key contributors: Shengelia, Hernangómez, Clyburn, Parra and Punter.
Joan Plaza will have his full squad back in training after six players returned from the latest FIBA World Cup qualifying window. Shannon Evans II, Stan Okoye, Morris Udeze, Aaron Best, Yves Pons and Artem Pustovyi all featured for their national teams and are due to rejoin the group ahead of Sunday’s ACB trip to the Palau Blaugrana (17:00).
MoraBanc last played on 23 November, a 76–83 defeat at home to Joventut Badalona that ended a two-game winning run. The club also hosted a Pro Am event with sponsors on Wednesday evening.
The visit to Barcelona will be a tough test: Barça have recovered strongly since the appointment of Xavi Pascual and have shown particular improvement on the defensive end. Plaza warned his players they will face “a very active, aggressive team with a high physical level,” and stressed that his side must maintain intensity, continuity and good ball circulation to compete.
Barcelona arrive having rotated momentum domestically and in Europe; they play Red Star Belgrade in the EuroLeague on Friday. Pascual’s side boast several players averaging double-digit valuation, including Tornike Shengelia, Willy Hernangómez, Will Clyburn, Joel Parra and Kevin Punter.
With the internationals back available, Plaza can select from a full roster as MoraBanc aim to get back to winning ways on the road.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: