Grupo Alega Cantabria produced a strong second-half performance to defeat Palencia Baloncesto 89–78 in the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto on October 22, 2026, pulling away late after a competitive opening period.

Match overview

The first quarter was played at a high tempo, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to establish a meaningful advantage. Palencia looked comfortable in the half court early on, using interior passing to create open looks. Cantabria stayed within striking distance before taking control after halftime, turning a tight contest into a double-digit win.

Key moments

The turning point came midway through the third quarter, when Cantabria assembled a 14–2 run that shifted the momentum for good. Palencia called timeout, but Cantabria’s defensive pressure continued to force difficult shots. The visitors briefly cut the deficit to five points in the fourth, only for Cantabria to respond with back-to-back three-pointers that restored a comfortable cushion.

Tactical story

Cantabria’s ball movement was the story of the night, as the hosts repeatedly found open shooters from the corners. They connected on 12 three-pointers and dominated the assist count, finishing with 21 as a team. Palencia struggled to contain dribble penetration, which created open looks on the perimeter. Offensively, Palencia had success inside but could not match Cantabria’s efficiency from beyond the arc.

Standout players

Pablo Sánchez paced Grupo Alega Cantabria with 22 points and seven assists, controlling the tempo throughout. Iván Torres added 16 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Palencia’s Álvaro Martín led his side with 19 points, while Sergio Gutiérrez chipped in 14.

What the result means

Grupo Alega Cantabria move on in the cup competition with a performance that underlined their depth and shot-making ability. Palencia Baloncesto exit knowing that a slow start to the second half proved costly, but the team’s fighting spirit will be a positive takeaway as attention turns back to league commitments.