The miracle of UCAM Murcia or how to make the impossible possible

El UCAM Murcia has starred one of the greatest feats in national club competitions that have been seen in recent decades after qualify to play the final of the ACB League, in which he will face Real Madrid starting this Saturday (8:30 p.m.). His thing could almost be called a miracle since the owner of it was San Antonio Catholic University of Murciasponsor of the team since 2011 and owner of the team since 2013. With an approximate budget of 5.5 million euros the ninth of the tournament, has been loaded Unicaja (13.5). And now he will try the impossible before the Madrid (45).

The ill-fated José Luis Mendoza Pérezpresident of the UCAM Until his death last year, he took over the entity in 2013, providing it with better structures and more means with which he contributed decisively to the stability of an elevator club until then, which he lived between the LEB and the ACBand which has been established in the highest category of national basketball for 13 years.

A feat with epic overtones

Low UCAM patronage the team had already managed to get in for the first time in its history in a few playoffs (2016), in a final phase of the Copa del Rey (2022 and 2024) and it has been third in the Basketball Champions League (2023). But his feat takes on epic overtones after accessing for the second time to the playoffs and manage to get into the League final, becoming the sixth team (aside from Real Madrid and Barcelona) that will compete for the title in the last 24 years. The other five were Valencia, Baskonia, Bilbao, Unicaja and Estudiantes. And all of them with more economic resources than those from Murcia.

This season, thanks to the support of UCAMMurcia left with the ninth largest budget of the ACB League, some 5.5 million of euros. Very far from Valencia (25,4) and of Unicaja (13.5) whom he defeated in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and light years from Real Madridwith a budget around 45 millions of euros, eight times higher than that of Murcia.

In the final without being seeded: only two precedents

To value his heroism, it is enough to say that he is the third team in the history of the ACB League who qualifies to play the final without having finished the regular phase as seeded among the top four. The others were the TDK Manresa of Luis Casimiro and the legendary Chichi Creuswhich ended in 1997 sixth and ended up becoming champion of the League after defeating Estudiantes, Madrid and Tau in the greatest feat seen in the championship, AND Caja San Fernando, 7th in 1996 (lost the final 3-0).

He UCAM Murcia now stands in the final after having concluded the regular League in fifth position with a balance of 21 wins and 13 losses, the best in its history. A fifth-ranked team had never beaten the first in the semifinals (14-0). And the Murcians have achieved it without winning any home game in the semis, but winning three times away from home. Crazy..

But His miracle is earthly, he has names, surnames and basketball arguments that support it. Although if there was a ‘saint’ to whom this feat could be granted, it would be Alonso site. The Madrid coach 48 yearswith 14 years of experience as head coach on the ACB bench, reaches its first final after not having achieved it before in two of the greats of the competition such as Baskonia (2016-17) y Barça (2017-18). In his fifth season at Murcia, the team has not stopped improving under his leadership (14º, 12º, 10º, 9º and 5º).

Y This season is already a class of honor. Overcame early departures for various reasons Sahko, Falky McFadden. He signed Radebaugh with good results. And in the final stretch he overcame the loss due to injury to his starting centers Marko Todorovic y Simon Birgander (his most valued player until then), brilliantly supplied with the incorporation of Yannis Morinone of his pillars in these playoffs along with Dustin Sleva, Rodion Kurucs y Dylan Ennis.

Defense, fundamental pillar of the ‘Sito method’

The maneuver in the offices was impeccable and Sito Alonso’s directing skill did the rest. The Madrid coach has provided his team with a personal identity that is sustained, above all, with an extraordinary defense. Not in vain, it was the third team that conceded the fewest points in the regular League (80.4)only behind the Unicaja (77.2) and the Madrid (79.6). And went second in recoveries (9.21) behind the Unicaja (9.53) and the first in fouls committed (22,8). And their zonal defenses have clouded illustrious rivals. Let them ask themselves in these playoffs Valencia y Unicaja.

And in attack he has managed to make his team move the ball with great discretion, always looking for the best option and ends up in the hands of its most plugged-in players, in case of Sleva, Rodion Kuruc, Ennis, Hakanson… Blackboard aside, Sito Alonso (with contract until 2026) has managed instill in your players that if they are motivated they can compete with anyone. And they have believed him and they show it on the field.

After losing in the fourth game of the series against the Malaga team, whom they worried at the end despite having a rather poor match, Sito Alonso highlighted the mentality as one of the strengths of his people: “We “We cannot get close to the level of Unicaja, because it is almost at the same level as Real Madrid, but on a mental level we do have a lot of power,” he assured.

The Murcian fans, the sixth player

Alonsowhose contract was ending this summer, reached an agreement in January that gguarantees its continuity until 2024. He had very clear reasons for renewing: “First, a total seriousness in what the club does, second, an unlimited ambition… and third, that they are one hundred percent dedicated to the team throughout the day. There is no better place to be than at UCAM Murcia,” he said after signing his signature.

And he did not forget the fans: “Without them we are nothing. “They are the second step in my decisions to continue here because they understand very well what we want.”. The public that packs the Municipal Sports Palace every game is its sixth player. It never fails.

The team plays with a lot of energy and cohesion. It has been crucial to accept the roles within the team and understand each other playing together, especially in the face of absences due to injuries.

Rodion Kurucs (UCAM Murcia player)

And his players stand out “resilience and resilience”, as they demonstrated in the semifinals, overcoming important adverse differences. And also praises his attitude, “always focus on learning and improving”. His pupils have been imbued with the ‘Sito philosophy’. “The team plays with a lot of energy and cohesion. It has been crucial to accept the roles within the team and understand each other playing together, especially in the face of absences due to injuries,” he said. Rodion Kurucs.

Defend and take care of the ball in attack

Your partner Howard Sant-Ross He highlighted the importance of defense in his team’s game: “Not allowing easy points to the rival is essential to compete at the highest level“. And also to take care of the ball in attack: “We are very clear that we must avoid losing the ball so as not to give counterattack opportunities to the opposing team.