Anyone with a shred of sense at FIBA should reconsider the third-place game at the BCL Final Four. It’s a grind for players, fans, and even journalists who have to cover a match that carries little meaning. Yet, despite that, the 40 minutes nobody wanted to play turned out to be thrilling. Not top-tier basketball, but still exciting. Coming off their recent struggles, Unicaja played quite well.
The best part? Unicaja won. The worst? Tyson Pérez couldn’t play the second half due a calf knock. It didn’t seem serious, and hopefully he recovers quickly, as the regular season finale looms.
Balcerowski celebrates a basket during the game. / BCL
The match was overshadowed by the ‘Duarte case’ that unfolded hours earlier. It was hard for the team to fully focus on such a meaningless sporting contest amid everything that happened with the Dominican player—fined, suspended from the team, and now back in Málaga with his family. Honestly, he wasn’t missed, just as he hadn’t been throughout the season.
First Half
The duo of Audige and Tillie led Unicaja’s scoring early on. Each contributed 6 points, keeping the score tied at 12-12. The Canary Islands team hit from beyond the arc and took a six-point lead. Ibon called a timeout at 12-18, which helped the players regroup. Rotations paid off, and the green team took the lead before the end of the first quarter: 24-22.
Mills caught fire. Without Marcelinho, the Australian took charge offensively. Two straight three-pointers forced Ibon to call another timeout at 34-40 with under three minutes left before halftime. The first half ended 41-45.
Second Half
Unicaja came out with intensity in the third quarter. A 13-5 run put them up 54-50, forcing Txus Vidorreta to call a timeout. The Canary Islands team responded and regained the lead at 56-62. The game swung in bursts. The bronze medal contest entered the final 10 minutes at 60-62.
That’s when Unicaja’s best version emerged. Audige and Tillie hit from deep, and the game headed toward a clutch finish. At 72-72, the race to the finish began with five minutes left. Unicaja had the edge. La Laguna kept looking for Mills, but he was tired and well-guarded by Chase Audige.
The final 85-80 felt like a triumph. Finally, things clicked for the team, which needed a confidence boost after a tough stretch. Now, the focus must shift entirely to the playoff push. Those unwilling to contribute can step aside. No one is indispensable—not even Chicui.
