The team from La Laguna, which finished fifth in the regular season and was a semifinalist in the Copa del Rey, will compete against Manacor, fourth in the standings and current cup champion. This best-of-three elimination series will start in Tenerife, although the Balearic team holds the home-court advantage for the potential second and third matches.
One of the pillars of Cisneros La Laguna this season has been Víctor Andreu Ramón Flores, a 24-year-old Cuban receiver from Camagüey. In his first year in Spain, Andreu has established himself as one of the league's most prominent players, despite initial difficulties with visa procedures and adapting to a new playing style.
“"I've had to learn a lot about the European way of playing because it's very different from the Asian one. I've had to adapt to that cunning in the game."
The player, whose career includes stints in Bulgaria, Albania, Portugal, and China, describes himself as an “eternal apprentice” and approaches these playoffs with maximum ambition. His personal and team goal is to reach the final and continue improving daily.
Meanwhile, Nacho Roberts, Cisneros' setter, highlights the team's "enthusiasm" and the consistency shown throughout the season, which has led to their best historical classification. He emphasizes the squad's depth as a key to success, allowing for effective rotations that proved crucial in important matches.
“"I don't like to talk about favorites in these matches. The favorite is the one who ends up winning. That's what it will be about, and we want it to be us."
Coach Miguel Rivera expresses confidence, stating that his team does not feel inferior to Manacor. He acknowledges the home-court advantage for the Balearic team but stresses the importance of winning the first match at home to carry an advantage into the series. Rivera anticipates that the key to the confrontation could lie in the battle between Manacor's powerful serve and Cisneros' solid reception line.
