UCAM Murcia's players were at the hotel five hours before the game against Valencia Basket, watching the last scouting videos. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
UCAM Murcia / Schedule
Valencia Basket
UCAM Murcia
FC BarcelonaIt was Sito Alonso, Murcia's head coach, who drove more than two hours from Murcia to Granada (277 kilometers) to be in the Spanish Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Valencia Basket.
He tested negative for coronavirus on Friday after a tough week for him.
Sito joined his 29-year-old assistant Lucas Perez, who was in charge of all the practices during the week. Oscar Lata, Sito's right hand, still tested positive and could not attend the game.
People who were in the hotel confessed to BasketNews that it was an adrenaline rush for all the players to see their coach back on track.
No films script could have written something as inspirational as this.
"He made us believe. No one can imagine how tough it has been for him. We did not expect to have him with us. He made a great effort. We really appreciate it. We are a family", an emotional Tomas Bellas said after the game.
Murcia's team suffered a coronavirus outbreak just a week ahead of its first Copa since 1996. The game scheduled for last Sunday against FC Barcelona had to be postponed.
As fate has shown, this Saturday night, they will fight for a spot in the final, facing the Blaugranas in the semifinals.
UCAM Murcia could not practice during the whole week together as a team.
"We have been practicing with young players. It's not easy, but we would not be UCAM Murcia if we did not suffer," assured Augusto Lima.
There was a kind of uncertainty about whether they will be playing in the tournament. Fortunately, they are.
After a nail-biting quarterfinal victory against Valencia Basket, Sito Alonso related his difficult experience during the week battling the coronavirus.
"We have to be careful with the situation we are living. From the 3rd or 4th day, it was going backward, not forwards. I had no intention of coming a few days ago, as the doctors advised me.
This morning, reluctantly, they gave me the 'okay' to come. Now I'm fine, really. The cough spared me during the game, but when it finished, it came back once again. I have to continue treating myself a lot in the next few days," expressed the Spanish coach.
Murcia's fans were waiting at the team before the game. It was a red tide. When the bus arrived, all of them began to cheer Sito.
"I felt comfortable. They have been amazing. I really appreciate their support", concluded Sito.
Life is about overcoming adversities. Murcia has already won the narrative in this Spanish Copa del Rey.
