Hiopos Lleida faces crucial clash against Joventut amid results crisis

Head coach Gerard Encuentra demands maximum effort from his players to end a five-game losing streak in the ACB.

Generic image of a basketball on the court of an empty arena.
IA

Generic image of a basketball on the court of an empty arena.

Hiopos Lleida will host Joventut Badalona this Sunday at the Barris Nord arena, seeking a vital victory to halt a worrying run of five consecutive defeats in the ACB league.

The team's recent slump has seen their lead over the relegation zone shrink to just two wins. Coach Gerard Encuentra emphasized that while the squad is working hard during the week, they must improve their competitive edge during matches to regain their confidence and climb the standings.

"What the fans ask of us is attitude. They don't demand that we score every shot; what they ask for is a fight."

Gerard Encuentra · Hiopos Lleida Head Coach
Injury concerns persist for the local side, as Diagne remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Batemon and Dani Garcia are also doubtful. However, new signing Adrià Rodríguez could make his debut after passing his medical, providing a much-needed boost to the team's backcourt rotation.
In women's basketball, Robles Lleida faces a desperate situation as they visit Arxil today. Coach Rubén Petrus admitted that staying in the league is more of a dream than a reality, but vowed that the team will keep fighting as long as it is mathematically possible.