AS SAORÍN CIEZAEB IN THE THIRD DIVISION AND CIEZAEB INFANTIL CONTINUE TO DREAM OF THE TITLE
Before all the games this week, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the heart and soul of this club: Bartolomé Martínez. Our beloved Bartolo passed away this week. He was the first president and the person who laid the foundations for CiezaEB to continue, in his name, taking youth basketball to the highest levels of quality, just as he taught us, just as he would have wanted.
Inm Juan Marín did everything he could against CB Santomera, who ended up winning the game 4-0, a result that does not demonstrate the courage and good manners of our little ones.
Agronolex CiezaEB also lost in the mini category to Beniel by 61-21. A one-year age difference in certain categories can be decisive. The Cieza EB U14 team secured a spot in the semifinals to fight for the Silver title. Last Sunday, the decisive match for the title was played in the neighboring town of Abarán. The start wasn't what they hoped for, with Cieza losing the first quarter 22-4, but in the second quarter, they began a comeback that made the game very exciting for the spectators until the final minutes. Intense defense and fast breaks allowed the Cieza team to secure an 80-88 victory and continue their fight for the title.
Our two black-clad teams, the cadet and junior teams, both suffered defeats. The cadets fell in Cartagena 68-37, finishing their development year trying to maintain their good form despite the results. Our junior team was defeated by CB Santo Ángel 45-78 in a game where the officiating was subpar.
Asesoría Saorín Cieza faced CB El Carmen in a hard-fought third division game, characterized by back-and-forth scoring. The first quarter ended 25-18, foreshadowing familiar specters, but the Cieza team rallied with courage, led by an inspired Abellán who, with a basket and a three-point play, lifted his teammates' spirits. This momentum never wavered, allowing the team to compete on equal terms with one of the favorites to reach the final four of the division. El Carmen sat deep in their own half, waiting for Cieza's mistakes to launch quick counter-attacks, a tactic that worked for much of the third quarter, allowing them to mount a comeback and even take the lead. But in the final quarter, the Asesoría Saorín players were highly motivated, and every player pushed forward to secure the 76-77 victory. This crucial win fuels their playoff dreams.
Last Thursday, Car Wash Benedicto, a first-division team, played its final game of the season, suffering a 90-82 defeat at home against CB El Carmen. The Cieza team came out strong, dominating the first quarter. However, the home team turned things around in the second period, going into halftime with a 13-point lead. The second half was a frustrating struggle for us; we managed to tie the game at the end, but ultimately ran out of steam.
Murcia came from behind to secure the victory. It was an emotional match in which neither team had anything to play for, as relegation to the second division had already been decided.
File photo.