The Baxi Manresa displayed contrasting performances during their Eurocup clash against Aris Thessaloniki, ultimately securing a 113-99 win. The team, coached by Ocampo, started explosively, building a commanding 31-point lead in the first half, capitalizing on strong offense and weak Greek defense. Young player Gerard Fernández was instrumental early on, scoring 10 points in a brilliant sequence, contributing to a 63-38 halftime score.
Despite the massive lead, the expected late-game struggle for Manresa materialized in the second half. The Aris side began to close the gap, reducing the deficit to under twenty points (71-52). The tension peaked in the final quarter when the Greeks, fueled by three-pointers and an unsportsmanlike foul, narrowed the margin to just eight points (103-95) with three minutes remaining.
The decisive intervention of Dani Bassas with two late three-pointers proved essential in managing the pressure and securing the hard-fought victory for Baxi Manresa.
At the most critical juncture, veteran guard Dani Bassas stepped up decisively. He hit two consecutive three-pointers that definitively halted the Aris rally. Furthermore, the fifth offensive foul committed by Aris's top scorer, Jones (who finished with 27 points), sealed the victory for the Catalan squad.
This victory is crucial for Baxi Manresa, not only confirming their path to the Eurocup play-offs but also placing them firmly in contention for the fourth seed, which grants home-court advantage. The team now enjoys a three-day rest period before hosting Breogán in a vital league match.
