MoraBanc Andorra Smashes Lleida 116-88, Seizes Relegation Control in ACB

MoraBanc Andorra crushed Hiopos Lleida 116-88 at Espai Fruita Barris Nord, hitting a club-record 116 points in the ACB and climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since 15 March. The Pyrenean side's 17 three-pointers propelled them to 10 wins, matching Dreamland Gran Canaria—against whom they hold the head-to-head advantage—while Casademont Zaragoza fell to nine victories following a loss to UCAM Murcia. Two games remain for the Aragonese side.

The outcome hands MoraBanc control of its destiny. A win over FC Barcelona on Friday at 20:30 in Pavelló Toni Martí ensures survival, no matter other results. Among the relegation contenders, Andorra holds the edge: just four of 16 scenarios spell drop. Even a loss could secure safety if Zaragoza stumbles in its makeup match against Valencia Basket tonight and at Río Breogán, or if Gran Canaria slips at Valencia, thanks to Andorra's strong multi-team tiebreakers, including in a potential three-way 10-win deadlock.

Kyle Kuric dominated with 28 points—23 by halftime—plus three rebounds, two steals and a 32 efficiency rating, moving past Chicho Sibilio's 693 to rank 15th in ACB history with 695 threes. Shannon Evans added 21, Sir'Jabari Rice 16, Rafa Luz 11, Justin McKoy 10 and Aaron Best 13. The bench contributed heavily, boosted by 18-6 halftime offensive rebounds.

Lleida, already safe after beating Gran Canaria, started with an 11-3 edge through Diagne, Ejim and ex-Andorra forward Oriol Paulí (18 points). Andorra countered with eight threes in six minutes to lead 26-31 after the first quarter. The margin grew to 21 at halftime (42-62), hit 33 midway through the fourth (66-99) and peaked at 38 (68-106), allowing coach Gerard Encuentra to rest starters. Diagne scored 12 before fouling out; Ejim had 11, Shurna 10, Agada 9 and Dani García 8. Officials Jordi Aliaga, Arnau Padrós and Fabio Fernández refereed before 5,693 spectators during Lleida's Aplec del Cargol festival.

Close to 100 Andorra fans made the trip by bus and car, offering vocal support. Pre-game, coach Žan Tabak rejected "finals" talk, emphasising steady play: he believed in avoiding relegation or would seek dismissal from president Gorka Aixàs. He expected Lleida's physical approach, similar to recent Burgos opponents, plus a heated rivalry atmosphere.

Afterward, Tabak called for composure, deeming the win crucial yet incomplete—one of his biggest, with room for improvement. He credited consistent intensity and advised general manager Francesc Solana to remain grounded. Kostas Kostadinov pushed to replicate the preparation, dubbing the Barça clash "life or death" and the season's toughest task. Artem Pustovyi stressed nothing was sealed, calling on fans to pack Toni Martí.

In football, FC Andorra ended its home LaLiga Hypermotion slate with a 0-2 loss to AD Ceuta before 2,121 at Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp, staying on 58 points but slipping to 13th. Petxarromán drew a straight red in the ninth minute for a high-footed challenge on Anuar. Moments later, from the goal kick, Martí Vilà's backpass to Nico Ratti bounced awkwardly, resulting in an own goal at the 11th minute.

Down to 10 men amid absences like Bomba, Molina, Imanol and suspended Alende, Andorra pushed ahead. Cerdà connected with Carrique for a prime chance, but Ceuta keeper Pedro López smothered it; Villahermosa and Manu Nieto linked for efforts López saved, while Nieto missed wide off-balance. Marc Cardona left injured near the 30th for Nieto; Ratti, shaken by his error and dealing with an Achilles niggle he requested be addressed, gave way to Owono at halftime.

Ceuta made it 2-0 in the 66th minute as Aboubacar Bassinga volleyed a rebound after Betancourt rose above Martí Vilà, confirmed by VAR following an offside review involving Owono. Andorra mounted late threats—Nieto saw a goal-line effort cleared then ruled offside, Lautaro headed wide from a tight angle—but wilted after 80-plus minutes shorthanded with 10 added. Substitutes featured Minsu, Lautaro and Álvaro Martín. Referee Alejandro Ojaos Valera issued yellows to Andorra's Villahermosa (8th), Martí Vilà (52nd), Owono (79th), Carrique (83rd) and Lautaro (84th), plus Ceuta's Ahmed (21st), Zalazar (75th) and Josema (79th).

A minute's silence honoured Álvaro Martín's grandmother; shirts backed injured Theo Le Normand. Coach Carles Manso decried the early red as a swift party-killer for what should have celebrated a strong campaign, noting officials often hindered teams seeking continuity amid stoppages and time-wasting. He said it cramped high pressing but praised the group's personality despite the deficit, adding referees should avoid protagonism, ensure fair stoppage time and not favour non-playing styles. He clarified Ratti's change stemmed from an Achilles issue limiting foot-planting.

Marc Domènech called the season an outright success with solid outings against top sides, especially in the second half, and hoped for playoffs next year. Sergio Molina rated it a 10 for early safety, crediting earned respect—no rival relished facing them lately—and urged retaining contracted players for continuity. Both highlighted the side's growth from less to more, with personality under duress.

Andorra visits playoff-chasing Burgos next weekend, tied seventh on 69 points with Castellón. A win breaks the 59-point club record in Segunda, but the squad faces strain: Petxarromán suspended, Gael Alonso carded out, multiple injuries including Èdgar, Jastin, Le Normand and Ratti; Owono stands as the only fit keeper, likely joined by youth prospect Jan Lagunas. The bench drew from Nàstic de Manresa talent like Víctor Chumachenko. Álvaro Martín departs after three years; Cerdà, eyed by relegated Mallorca, holds a €5 million clause to 2027. No teams like Racing, Deportivo, Huesca, Cultural or Zaragoza return next season after promotions or drops; one relegation spot awaits between Mirandés and Leganés, with playoffs featuring Almería, Málaga, Las Palmas, Castelló, Burgos and Eibar. Manso views the year as a resounding hit regardless.