CD Leonesa Basket opened its Copa del Rey de Baloncesto campaign with a hard-earned 75-70 victory over Ponfelada on September 28, 2026. In a game that stayed tight into the final minutes, Leonesa’s late execution, rebounding and interior defense proved the difference in a cup tie that felt more like a playoff battle than an early-round matchup.

Match Overview

CD Leonesa Basket controlled the tempo for long stretches, but Ponfelada refused to fade. Every time Leonesa threatened to pull away, Ponfelada answered with timely three-point shooting and aggressive drives. The final score of 75-70 reflected the balance of the contest: Leonesa led for most of the night, but never by enough to feel truly safe until the closing seconds.

• First quarter: CD Leonesa Basket 18, Ponfelada 16
• Second quarter: CD Leonesa Basket 18, Ponfelada 16
• Halftime: CD Leonesa Basket 36, Ponfelada 32
• Third quarter: CD Leonesa Basket 20, Ponfelada 19
• Fourth quarter: CD Leonesa Basket 19, Ponfelada 19
• Final: CD Leonesa Basket 75, Ponfelada 70

How CD Leonesa Basket Built the Win

Leonesa’s half-court offense leaned heavily on paint touches and second-chance opportunities. The home side attacked the offensive glass with purpose, extending possessions and forcing Ponfelada into longer defensive rotations. That rebounding edge gave Leonesa a steady source of points even when its outside shot cooled off.

The guards also did a good job of changing pace. Leonesa pushed in transition after long rebounds, but it was equally comfortable slowing the game down and running high ball screens. That control helped the team protect a narrow lead through the middle quarters, especially when Ponfelada began switching more aggressively on the perimeter.

Key Moments That Decided the Cup Tie

Ponfelada cut the deficit to two points early in the fourth quarter, and the game briefly looked ready to tilt in its favor. Leonesa responded with its most important sequence of the night: a corner three from Javier Mendez, followed by a steal and a fast-break layup from Álvaro Ruiz. That five-point swing pushed the lead back to seven and forced Ponfelada to chase.

Ponfelada made one last push in the final minute, drawing within 72-70 after a pair of free throws. Leonesa, however, stayed composed at the line and sealed the result with late defensive stops. The final possession ended with Ponfelada missing a contested three, allowing Leonesa to run out the clock.

Standout Players

• Javier Mendez (CD Leonesa Basket): 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. He was the game’s most reliable scorer and repeatedly won one-on-one matchups in the post.
• Álvaro Ruiz (CD Leonesa Basket): 15 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. His pace control and late steal were critical.
• Diego Santamaría (CD Leonesa Basket): 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks. He anchored the defense and altered several shots at the rim.
• Lucas Ferreira (Ponfelada): 18 points and 5 rebounds. He kept Ponfelada within striking distance with tough shot-making.
• Marc Vidal (Ponfelada): 14 points, including four three-pointers. His shooting stretched Leonesa’s defense.
• Tomás Iglesias (Ponfelada): 11 points and 7 rebounds. He provided energy on both ends.

Tactical Story

Leonesa’s man-to-man defense was the foundation of the win. The guards fought over screens, the bigs dropped back intelligently, and Ponfelada was often forced into contested jumpers late in the shot clock. Leonesa also won the rebounding battle 41-34, including 12 offensive boards that led to crucial second-chance points.

Ponfelada used a 2-3 zone in the second half to slow Leonesa’s dribble penetration, and it worked for stretches. But Leonesa’s patience against the zone, combined with its offensive rebounding, prevented Ponfelada from stringing together enough stops to complete the comeback. Ponfelada shot well from beyond the arc but struggled to generate easy baskets inside.

What the Result Means

The win sends CD Leonesa Basket forward in the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto and gives the squad an important confidence boost in knockout play. Cup games are often decided by execution in the final five minutes, and Leonesa passed that test with poise. For Ponfelada, the loss is a tough one, but the performance showed enough fight to suggest it can compete in tighter, lower-scoring battles.

Final Score and Key Numbers

• Final score: CD Leonesa Basket 75, Ponfelada 70
• Top scorer: Javier Mendez (CD Leonesa Basket) — 20 points