Defeat in Bilbao, but Kids&Us leaves a positive impression on opening day
The performances of Ongenda and Kolenda for Ocampo's team stand out.
107 Surne Bilbao | Frey 14, Normantas 14, Hilliard 19, Krampelj 11, and Vautier 12; Darling 2, Ansorregi, Petrasek 8, Font 8, Somogyi 7, and Hlinason 12
92 Kids&Us Manresa | Benitez 2, Notae 14, Tamba 5, Agbo 7, and Ongenda 17; Kolenda 16, Vila 3, Beaufort 4, Bassas 5, Villar 9, and Minchev 10
Quarter scores: 19-18, 25-20, 32-27, 31-27
Kids&Us Manresa failed to secure a win in their 2026-27 Liga Endesa opener, falling 107-92 at Surne Bilbao’s challenging home court in a game dominated by the Basque side from the start. Additionally, Hugo Benítez was unable to finish the match; he left for the locker room after suffering a heavy blow to the ribs.
Jaume Ponsarnau’s squad, led by Vautier, got off to a strong start, opening with a 9-2 run. However, the "Reds" managed to regroup and ended the first quarter trailing by the narrowest of margins (19-18).
In the second period, the team from Bages—with Ongenda putting in a standout performance—managed to turn the score around (26-27). Immediately after, the "Men in Black" reacted and regained control of the contest. At halftime, the home team led by six points (44-38).
Upon returning from the locker room, Ponsarnau’s men found their rhythm from three-point range, allowing them to build a thirteen-point lead (64-51). By the end of the third quarter, the Basque side held an eleven-point advantage (76-65).
In the final ten minutes, Diego Ocampo’s players attempted to get back into the game but were clearly outplayed by a very solid opponent that secured its first win of the 2026-27 Liga Endesa season.
On Wednesday at 6:30 PM, Kids&Us Manresa will make their EuroCup debut on the challenging home court of one of the title favorites, Greece’s PAOK Thessaloniki.