By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hereda San Pablo Burgos landed in Spain on Sunday night off a long trip from Argentina. On Saturday evening, the Spanish outlet captured the FIBA Intercontinental Cup title, five months after winning the Basketball Champions League and earning the right to compete for the Intercontinental Cup. Two international championships, also the first two titles in club history.
“I don’t think there is a team in the world that has conquered two titles at this stage of the year,” guessed head coach Joan Penarroya, relays FIBA.Basketball, “Before this year started, who could have predicted that we would win the BCL and then come here to Buenos Aires and win the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, it’s a tremendous accomplishment.”
Moving back not so long ago, Burgos got to Spain’s second division, LEB Oro, in 2015, and in 2017 found itself in the ACB for the first time. The 2019-20 Champions League campaign ending late in Athens with the Final 8 triumph marked its inaugural European club competition run and actually began way back in the qualifying rounds prior to the Regular Season.
“I think they should do a movie with our story,” said president Felix Sancho said, “It might sound like I am joking, but all this is truly very big. What this club has achieved is nowhere near usual.”
Up next, the Spanish Copa del Rey with a quarterfinal matchup against Lenovo Tenerife, Thursday at Madrid.
“In less than a week we are playing to fight for another title and that’s what we’re going for,” noted Penarroya, “It’s time for us to enjoy the players we have and the season we’ve been having. The only pity is we can’t do that with our fans.”
Intercontinental Cup MVP and captain Vitor Benite would also prefer to enjoy success with the fans if circumstances permitted.
“The most difficult part about this victory and this year, in general, is that, due to the circumstances created by the pandemic, we can’t have the chance to share the trophy with our fans and the city the way we would have liked,” mentioned the Brazilian guard, “But for sure our fans are enjoying this moment and this makes me very happy.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.Basketball