In the pre-match press conference, held at 12:30 PM at Barris Nord, Encuentra stated that the main objective is “to be able to compete in the games,” as “the mental aspect always weighs heavily” on the locker room.
The Lleida coach, who recently renewed his contract until 2029, referred to the difficult dynamic the burgundy team is experiencing. He insisted that “the team must be strong, continue working, and go step by step” to reverse the situation.
“"We have to go out without thinking so much about the opponent we have in front of us, but rather about the things that depend on us to do them as well as possible."
Regarding their opponent, La Laguna Tenerife, Encuentra highlighted that they are a “very powerful” team currently in their best moment of the season. He added that “they have been together for many years, they know each other, and they play basketball very well,” but reiterated the importance of focusing on their own performance.
This Sunday's match could mark the return of Txus Vidorreta to Barris Nord, following an incident last season where he did not attend the Canary Islands team's visit, causing some discomfort with Gerard Encuentra and Hiopos Lleida.
