Real Valladolid Baloncesto in distress: an urgent need for renewal

Difficult to recognize. Complex to manage. Harsh reality, but nevertheless very present. UEMC Real Valladolid Baloncesto did not lose this time with a defeat of thirty points, even if the final valuation suggested it (61-98). If someone hadn't followed the match, losing by 13 points against Estudiantes, one of the leaders of the competition (73-87), might seem, given previous performances, satisfactory for some. However, we must not be fooled by the trees hiding the forest. The Estudiantes triumphed as they pleased, controlling the match and distributing the minutes as they saw fit, with all 12 players on the floor, 11 of whom played between 15 and 21 minutes, while the twelfth, Sola, remained on the field for nine minutes.

A walk for the rivals of a UEMC Real Valladolid Baloncesto once again in great difficulty, playing on an increasingly deserted Pisuerga floor, where the spectators disappear even before the end of the matches.

It's a new chapter of anxiety for a Blanquiviolette team lacking character and, above all, without an understandable game plan. His opponents, including Estudiantes, only had to be satisfied with the minimum. At halftime, Real Valladolid already trailed by 18 points and fell behind by 26 at the start of the third quarter. Far from sporting issues, a tribute and a musical performance attracted more attention than the team's performance in a match where it appeared sleepy.

It is difficult to understand the current situation. For some, each match is a celebration, while for others, notably for Real Valladolid, it is a real ordeal with sometimes incomprehensible choices. For example, how can we explain that Egekeze, a player already injured upon his arrival, is on the field? The defense, which could be described as non-existent, continues to be described as very deficient, and on offense, everyone seems to be playing for themselves, descending into anarchy. Conversely, Rozitis did not play a minute in what could well be his penultimate match, while Juangar went from indispensable player to mere spectator. This silence and lack of clarity can only lead to chaotic management as the team continues to get bogged down. In the stands, the supporters watch this spectacle in despair.

The Estudiantes played quietly, barely solicited. In the first quarter, they already led by 8 points with 29 points scored. It was just a matter of waiting, without getting too tired. Their superiority was undeniable. Even if all their substitutes received playing time, this in no way hindered their goal of a victory at low energy cost.

Real Valladolid's awakening came in the last quarter, during the “waste” minutes when everything was already decided. It was a tree trying to hide the mountain.

Estudiantes played easily with their “small” players like Jason Granger (dominant), Francis Alonso (deadly) and Devin Schmidt (class), devastating the Vallisoleta defense with points and assists.

The ship sinks with no hope of return. Lolo Encinas, in his role, seems overwhelmed. Even if the Basque technician hangs on with encouraging words, that is not enough. The reality is that his counterpart at Estudiantes, Pedro Rivero, chose not to complete the task. It's that simple.

The team needs more, it needs changes, even at the management level. It is collapsing without having won a single home game since the start of the season. His game presents an unacceptable fragility. A harsh reality. The question then arises: is the club considering a change or will it opt ​​for a new addition seeing that certain players are no longer present? The urgency of the situation requires a response. The upcoming schedule (Copa de España), with matches against Palencia and Ourense, really does not give reason for optimism.