Gonzalo Rodríguez Palmeiro's team approached this crucial match with an opportunity to reclaim the top spot, following UEMC Valladolid's stumble. However, what promised to be a day of celebration, with the possibility of reaching 30 victories in the category, turned into an unexpected challenge for the white-and-greens.
The start of the game was promising for Coto Córdoba, who came out with great intensity. Led by an inspired JaMonta Black, who opened the scoring with a three-pointer and was supported by Kevin Schutte, the Cordovans achieved an early lead of 9-4. Black continued to excel, scoring a spectacular 2+1 and another three-pointer that brought the Vista Alegre crowd to its feet, extending the maximum lead to +8 (15-8).
Despite the initial dominance, Toledo Basket proved to be a tenacious opponent. Miguel Serrano, with free throws, managed to reduce the difference to just one point at the end of the first quarter (19-18). The second period began with a 5-0 run in favor of Coto Córdoba, thanks to a three-pointer from Zack Rollins and two accurate free throws from Jacques Guemeta, restoring calm to the stands (24-18).
Coto Córdoba suffered an absolute short circuit and went almost six minutes without scoring a single point, crashing repeatedly against the Manchegan defense.
However, the game took a drastic turn. Coto Córdoba experienced an offensive block of almost six minutes, while Toledo Basket capitalized on the situation with Mendiola's effectiveness in the paint and the outside shooting of Álvarez and Sierra. The white-and-greens went into halftime with a worrying 25-33 deficit, jeopardizing their leadership aspirations.
After the break, Toledo Basket maintained their lead, extending it to eleven points (25-36). Alarms rang even louder with a three-pointer from Luis García (29-45) and JaMonta Black's withdrawal due to a shoulder injury. However, local pride resurfaced. A three-pointer from Alejandro Rodríguez and Pablo Sánchez's performance ignited a spark, allowing the team to close the third quarter at 48-53, despite a late three-pointer from Víctor Moreno.
The final quarter was an intense battle. Although Nuha Sagnia and Coto Córdoba fought to come back, Toledo remained lethal from beyond the arc. Thiago Dias scored two consecutive three-pointers, but Coto Córdoba's epic effort, driven by Pablo Sánchez and Kevin Schutte, narrowed the gap. A technical foul on visitor Sierra allowed Sánchez to add three vital points (57-59). However, offensive rebounding errors by Córdoba were capitalized on by Víctor Moreno, whose three-pointer made it 57-65.
With one minute left, the game seemed decided, but Coto Córdoba's faith remained unbroken. A strong defense and four flawless free throws (two from Rollins and two from Fernando Bello) left the score at a tight 64-65. In the final seconds, Víctor Moreno made one free throw, missing the second, giving Coto Córdoba the last possession. Pablo Sánchez attempted the decisive basket, but his shot missed the rim, sealing a cruel 64-66 defeat.
This defeat means that Coto Córdoba CB misses a crucial opportunity to solidify their lead. Now, the team must win their next game against the last-place team and await other results to maintain their chances of a three-way tie at the top of the standings.
