GameLab G26: Bàsquet Girona - BAXI Manresa

BAXI Manresa will once again star in a new Catalan derby this Saturday, this time against Bàsquet Girona. The team from Girona, 13th classified in the ACB with a balance of 10 wins and 15 losses, have just achieved a vital victory to avoid relegation against a worthy rival, Valencia Basket. Those from Fontajau arrive with a good dynamic, with two victories in the last three duels and with a new coach compared to the first round match at the Nou Congost, 'Fotis Katsikaris. For their part, Pedro Martínez**'s men have just won the last two games against high-level rivals such as Joventut Badalona and Gran Canaria, and the victory in Girona would be very important to continue looking up just before the visit to the leader of the competition.

Who contributes the points to Girona?

Bàsquet Girona's average score is 81 points per game. The team led by Fotis Katsikaris focuses almost all of its scoring potential on the figures of Ike Iroegbu (14.8 pts per game) and Kenny Chery (14 pts per game). However, the team from Girona have other men with many points in their hands such as: Juani Marcos (10 pts), Yves Pons (9.4pts) or Khem Birch (9 pts) .

The duel: Ike Iroegbu vs Brancou Badio

Iroegbu and Badio are two of the most important pieces of Girona and Manresa respectively. The point guard born in the United States is Bàsquet Girona's top scorer, contributing an average of 14.8 points per game to those from Fontajau. For his part, Brancou Badio is positioned as the second man who contributes the most points to BAXI Manresa, with an average of 13.4 points per game, only surpassed by Devin Robinson.

Both guards dominate other facets of the game such as rebounds and assists, statistics where both players are very even. In rebounds, Badio slightly surpasses Iroegbu with an average of 3 rebounds per duel compared to the Girona native's 2.6. On the other hand, in assists the roles are reversed and it is Ike (3 ass) who narrowly surpasses Brancou (2.7 ass).

In another statistic where we find great equality between both guards is in the efficiency. On the one hand, Ike Iroegbu rates an average of 11.9 credits per game, and, on the other hand, Brancou Badio rates 12.2.

The shooting %

The 3-point shot: Bàsquet Girona 35% / BAXI Manresa 32%

The 2-point shot: Bàsquet Girona 47.7% / BAXI Manresa 52.8%

The free throw: Bàsquet Girona 75.8% / BAXI Manresa 75.2%

Background

BAXI Manresa has only visited Bàsquet Girona once in Fontajau in an ACB match. This confrontation took place last season, on matchday 24, where Bages' team took the victory with a result of 79-86. Dani Pérez was the man from Manresa who had the best performance in the game, thanks to 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, he finished the game with 24 rating credits.

Both Catalan teams have faced each other on two other occasions in the Liga Endesa, both at the Nou Congost. In the first round match of this season, Pedro Martínez's team defeated the Girona team on matchday 13 (101-87), while last season, the visit of Fontajau's team to Nou Congost was more competitive, where the winner was once again Manresa (82-79).

These results mean that BAXI Manresa does not know defeat against Bàsquet Girona in the ACB.

The Old-known

Dani García: He was on the Bàsquet Girona squad in the 2020-21 season on loan from BAXI Manresa.

Pierre Oriola: He was part of the Bàsquet Girona squad for the 2022-23 season.

Pedro Martínez: He directed Akasvayu Girona during the 2007-08 season.