MoraBanc Andorra Fires Coach Joan Plaza, Hires Žan Tabak After Seven-Game Skid

MoraBanc Andorra has dismissed coach Joan Plaza and appointed Croatian Žan Tabak as head coach through the end of the season. The move came Monday, one day after a 91-84 ACB loss at Baxi Manresa that marked Andorra's seventh straight defeat and capped the league's first half before 4,920 spectators at Pavelló Nou Congost.

Plaza, who joined on January 23 last year to replace Natxo Lezkano and ensure survival, had faced mounting tensions with management over player management, including Aaron Best and Justin McKoy. Tensions escalated amid the losing streak, with reports of strained relations and financial considerations around his contract. Post-game, Plaza said the club should act if a change would improve performance, adding that late errors stemmed from anxiety and one win would secure safety. Rafa Luz urged greater sacrifice and effort from the team.

Ahead of the match, Plaza expected full availability for Rafa Luz and likely participation from Yves Pons in a 13-player roster that excluded Aaron Ganal. He emphasized building stronger unity, mastering small details, curbing turnovers against Manresa's fast breaks under eight seconds, and earning a deserved victory. Over 50 Andorran fans traveled to support.

Andorra started Morris Udeze at center over Artem Pustovyi and led 22-19 after the first quarter on Kyle Kuric's two threes and Shannon Evans' drives. Manresa, missing Agustín Ubal, Dani Pérez, and Hugo Benítez, with Eli Brooks and Álex Reyes questionable, surged back. Mārcis Steinbergs drained five threes for 15 points, Reyes scored 16, and Retin Obasohan led with 22. A 9-0 run gave Manresa a 52-41 halftime lead.

Stan Okoye's 10 third-quarter points and Kuric's 16 total pulled Andorra to 66-58 entering the fourth. Pustovyi led with 18 before fouling out; Evans and Udeze added 12 each. The visitors closed to 76-73 late but missed key threes from Kuric and Evans, plus free throws. Manresa sealed it with defense, Pierre Oriola's 9 points, Brooks' 11, and ex-Andorra captain Ferran Bassas' 2. Officials: Luis Miguel Castillo, Jorge Martínez, Ariadna Chueca.

Andorra holds second-from-bottom with four wins, one ahead of San Pablo Burgos, who lost in Lleida Saturday.

Tabak, lately with Poland's Trefl Sopot, offers 15 years of experience at Baskonia, Fuenlabrada, Betis, Burgos, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Stelmet Zielona Góra. He assisted Plaza at Real Madrid and starts Tuesday's training ahead of Saturday's 7pm home game against Dreamland Gran Canaria at Pavelló Toni Martí. Gorka Aixàs is managing the transition; no interim coach was named. The club thanked Plaza for his professionalism.