Marc Gasol shines on his return to the ACB, Aíto achieves a record and Madrid starts with victory

Endesa ACB League

matchday 1That's how it was

Basketball Girona

88 94

Finalized

real Madrid

Marc Gasol under the gaze of Musa during Girona-Real Madrid this Tuesday. David Borrat (EFE)

Marc Gasol returned in style to the ACB League and with a superb performance in Bàsquet Girona's 88-94 defeat against Real Madrid: his 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for a total PIR of 34 made him the most valuable player of the match.

Fontajau once again vibrated with his president on the court and competed until the end against the whites, who had to bring out the best external version of him to add their first win in the League.

21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, three of three in triple attempts and with a PIR of 34, for which he became the most valuable player of the match

The ACB returned to Girona 14 years later and did it through the front door, with the visit of the current League and Super Cup champion, Chus Mateo's Real Madrid, full of enthusiasm after winning the title last Sunday, but with the absence of Rudy Fernández and Adam Hanga due to injury.

In the newly promoted, Jaume Sorolla was the only absence due to plantar fasciitis.

At the venues, all enthusiasm and motivation to make history led by Marc Gasol on the track and Aíto García Reneses from the sidelines, who became the oldest coach in the history of the ACB, at 75 years, nine months and eight days (The record was held by Svetislav Pesic, who directed his last game for Barça in 2020 at the age of 70 years, ten months and two days).

The start was unbeatable for the hosts.

The president and player of Bàsquet Girona put the team on his back and with two consecutive three-pointers he distanced his team to the maximum difference (15-5).

Madrid reacted with their best weapon, play from the outside and the joy of a team that is not afraid to open up too much, and managed to reach the end of the first act with a slight disadvantage (20-17).

Hezonja, who barely participated in the Super Cup, vindicated himself with triples.

Despite not being in the game, the Croatian was extremely inspired from the start and scored 18 points in practically the second quarter with a spectacular percentage from the three-point line.

Hezonja led a reaction to which his teammates joined and the 9 three-pointers before the break weighed heavily on a Girona team that depended excessively on Taylor and Gasol,

Without strength

Without any kind of complex, the Catalan team took to the court in the second period ready to strike fear into Madrid's body and came within just two points (49-51) after a 13-6 run.

Kameron Taylor, called to be a fundamental piece for Girona since his signing, Fontajau went into his pocket with his performance and his aggressiveness in defense and dynamism in attack (15 points).

The more than 5,000 fans present reacted to the need of their own and a layup by Èric Vila put the locals within one (55-56).

At the crucial moment and when Girona had approached its rival with the president's hand, Aíto ushered in the second unit, and in the blink of an eye and the whites chained two consecutive triples that moved them away until (57 -69) with which the end of the third quarter was reached.

Throughout the last ten minutes, Madrid was able to dedicate itself to maintaining the advantage.

Girona's strength had weakened at the key moment, but Gasol, with 20 minutes behind him, was willing to continue leading his team's attempt (69-76) with six minutes to go.

However, the locals got there before the greater variety of resources of the whites.

“Marc brings us sacrifice, effort and demand today, but also on a day-to-day basis.

It is key so that his teammates can also perform, ”said Aíto.

Meanwhile, Chus Mateo affirmed, beyond the joy of victory, that they must find "consistency".

Girona, 88 - Real Madrid, 94

Girona

: (20+16+21+31) Gasol (21), Miletic (13), Kameron Taylor (22), Vila (6), Franch (), – starting five – Fjellerup (8), Prkacin (-), Quino Colom (7), Hanzlik (-), Bursac (3), Garino (-), Figueras (6).

Real Madrid

: (17+28+24+25): Causeur (3), Deck (2), Tavares (), Yabusele (17), Rodríguez (11), Musa (15) -initial five- Hezonja (23), Poirier (-), Cornelie (6), Llull (11), Ndiaye (-), González (-).

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