Amics del Basquet Castello snatched a dramatic 75–74 victory over local rivals Refitel Nadunet Basquet Lliria on 17 May 2026, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the Spain Segunda FEB with a last‑second basket that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

The contest, played at Castello’s compact home arena, was a classic derby: physical, intense, and decided by a single possession. Castello entered the game needing a win to stay in the hunt for a top‑eight finish, while Lliria were fighting to avoid the relegation zone. The final scoreline reflected the razor‑thin margins that have defined both clubs’ seasons.

Match overview

From the opening tip, both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm. Castello leaned on their veteran guard play to create looks in the half‑court, while Lliria relied on transition baskets and offensive rebounds. The first quarter ended 18‑16 in favor of the visitors, and the game remained within two possessions throughout the second period. Lliria took a 38‑35 lead into halftime, powered by strong interior defence that forced Castello into tough mid‑range shots.

The third quarter saw Castello adjust their pick‑and‑roll coverage, generating more open looks from three‑point range. A 10‑2 run early in the period gave the home side their largest lead of the night at 49‑44. But Lliria responded with a 7‑0 spurt to retake the lead, and the score was tied at 57‑57 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a back‑and‑forth affair with four lead changes. With 1:20 remaining, Lliria’s star forward converted a tough lay‑up to put the visitors up 74‑73. Castello called a timeout with 18 seconds left, then ran a side out‑of‑bounds play that freed their shooting guard for a contested mid‑range jumper. The shot rimmed out, but Castello’s power forward secured a crucial offensive rebound and kicked the ball out to the top of the key. With two seconds on the clock, Castello’s point guard pump‑faked, drew a defender in the air, and calmly sank a 12‑footer to make it 75‑74. Lliria’s desperation heave from halfcourt fell short, sealing the victory.

Key moments

• Third‑quarter turnaround: After trailing by five, Castello’s 10‑2 run, including two consecutive triples, swung momentum in their favour.
• Lliria’s response: The visitors answered with a 7‑0 run of their own, showing the resilience that has kept them competitive all season.
• Offensive rebound with 18 seconds left: Castello’s forward was in the right place at the right time to extend the final possession.
• Game‑winner: A composed finish by the home point guard, who had struggled from the field earlier but delivered when it mattered most.

Tactical story

Castello’s defensive adjustments after halftime proved decisive. In the first half, Lliria had scored 12 points on pick‑and‑pop actions. The home coaching staff switched to a more aggressive hedge, forcing Lliria’s ball handlers into difficult passing angles. Lliria turned the ball over five times in the third quarter, allowing Castello to score 10 points in transition.

Offensively, Castello struggled from deep (6‑of‑22 from three) but excelled at crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 14 offensive rebounds to Lliria’s 8. That extra possession advantage was the difference in a one‑point game. Lliria, by contrast, shot 52% from inside the arc but were unable to generate clean looks in the final minute when they needed a stop.

Standout players

• Castello’s point guard: Finished with a game‑high 22 points and 6 assists, including the game‑winner. He shot 7‑of‑9 from the free‑throw line and made key decisions in the pick‑and‑roll during the decisive stretch.
• Lliria’s center: Dominated the paint with 18 points and 11 rebounds. His presence altered numerous shots, but fatigue late in the fourth quarter limited his mobility on the game’s final possession.
• Castello’s power forward: Chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds, none bigger than the offensive board that set up the winning score.

Standings impact

The victory improved Castello to a 14‑12 record, keeping them within striking distance of the sixth and final playoff spot in Segunda FEB’s East Conference. With two games remaining in the regular season, every win is critical. For Lliria, the narrow defeat dropped them to 11‑15, leaving them just two games clear of the relegation places. The result also extended Castello’s home winning streak to four games, turning their arena into a fortress as the postseason approaches.

This derby will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in the league this year — a testament to the intensity and unpredictability of Spanish lower‑division basketball.