A Colossal Larsen Secures HLA Alicante's First Away Victory

HLA Alicante remains very much alive in their fight for survival in the Primera FEB, securing their first away victory of the season with a 79-83 win over Gipuzkoa this Wednesday. Under the guidance of Rubén Perelló and the new signings, the Alicante team has become competitive and now aims to secure safety without too much trouble, a goal that seemed minor at the start of the season, but the situation turned bleak, and there were serious fears of relegation.

The clash against Gipuzkoa was decided in overtime and had a standout name: centre Kevin Larsen, who was named MVP of the round. HLA Alicante needed the Danish player to rise to the occasion, and he delivered his best performance at the most crucial and intense moment of the season. The last two games have been pivotal for the team's resurgence in the standings, with two outstanding performances that left an MVP pending last weekend (awaiting one game) and a second already confirmed yesterday.

Larsen's 36 evaluation points in San Sebastián were crucial for Perelló's side to emerge victorious from the Gipuzkoan capital after a nerve-wracking overtime. He was the team's main scoring source, hitting the two free throws to force overtime and paving the way with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 7 fouls drawn.

This victory was a relief for a team that achieved its fifth win, climbed another spot in the standings, and is now just one step away from reaching the safety positions.

After the match, Perelló expressed his happiness: "We managed to channel the anger from the Palencia game and competed well to secure our first away victory of the season. It's clear that we've lifted a significant weight off our shoulders, continuing to make strides towards the goal of safety, and hopefully, we can achieve it soon so the players can reap the rewards of their hard work."

Kevin Larsen, the clear protagonist of the match, is a familiar face in the Primera FEB, and his career is as follows:

2012/16: George Washington University (NCAA - USA)

2016/17: Lille Métropole (Pro B - France)

2016/17: Mitteldeutscher BC Weibenfels (Pro A - Germany)

2017/18: Horsens IC (Ligaen - Denmark)

2018/19: RETAbet Bilbao (Primera FEB)

2019/20: Chocolates Trapa Palencia (Primera FEB)

2020/21: Río Breogán (Primera FEB)

2021/24: Movistar Estudiantes (Primera FEB)

2024/25: HLA Alicante (Primera FEB).