ESP - Estudiantes suffer play-off setback

MADRID (ACB) - Estudiantes' hopes of reaching the ACB play-offs suffered a major blow on Thursday night as their miserable run of form continued with an 81-79 defeat at struggling ViveMenorca.

Estu have lost their last four league matches - having previously won eight on the trot following the appointment of new coach Mariano De Pablos - and they are now in the last-chance saloon with regards the play-offs.

They are currently ninth in the standings with a 15-17 record, two games behind reigning Spanish champions Unicaja Malaga who occupy the eighth and final play-off spot.

Estu must now win their game in hand against CB Granada and then thrash Unicaja on the final day of the regular season to have any hope of claiming a top-eight finish.

Chris Moss led ViveMenorca with 23 points and 11 rebounds as the home side overcame a 30-25 first period deficit to claim the victory that moves them out of the bottom two.

Moss' efforts earned him the ACB player of the week award for the second time this season.

EuroCup champions Akasvayu Girona have no such play-off worries, and they consolidated their spot in fifth place with an 89-70 win at Etosa Alicante.

Gran Canaria Grupo Dunas remain level with Akasvayu with a 20-13 record after defeating Grupo Capitol Valladolid 83-79, while DKV Joventut stay in third after seeing off Bruesa GBC 72-66.

In Thursday's other match, Alta Gestion Fuenlabrada downed Caja San Fernando 98-75 thanks partly to a fine display from Andres Miso, who picked up the best domestic player of the week award after pouring in 22 points, grabbing two rebounds and handing out three assists.

Mike Perez
FIBA