Casademont Zaragoza parts ways with Joan Plaza

Casademont Zaragoza said on May 17 that Joan Plaza had left as head coach of the club’s men’s team, ending a tenure that began on February 17 and lasted 12 Liga Endesa games. The club announced the change a day after a 101-83 loss at BAXI Manresa, a result that left Zaragoza on 9 wins and 22 losses with three regular-season games remaining. Gonzalo García de Vitoria, who had been an assistant since the start of the season, was put in charge for the final three league games. The club said technical secretary Pedro Llompart and García de Vitoria would address reporters on May 18 at Pabellón Príncipe Felipe. ### How short was Plaza’s spell in Zaragoza? Joan Plaza was appointed by Casademont Zaragoza on February 17, according to the club’s statement. His first official game came on March 7 against MoraBanc Andorra, and his record in Liga Endesa ended at 3 wins and 9 losses across 12 games. (casademontzaragoza.es) Aragón Deporte described the change as the end of a three-month spell marked by poor results. Eurohoops and other Spanish outlets reported the decision followed the defeat by Manresa, but the club’s own statement did not give a reason beyond confirming that Plaza was no longer coach. (casademontzaragoza.es) ### What changed after the loss to BAXI Manresa? BAXI Manresa beat Casademont Zaragoza 101-83 on May 16 at the Pavelló Nou Congost, according to Manresa’s match report. The home club said seven players finished with double-digit efficiency ratings in a win that pushed Manresa to its 14th league victory. The ACB standings published on Manresa’s site showed Zaragoza at 9-22 after that round, level on record with MoraBanc Andorra and ahead only of the bottom team on the table shown there. (cartv.es) COPE reported the defeat left Zaragoza with three games in 11 days to secure survival. ### Who takes over now? Gonzalo García de Vitoria was named interim coach for the last three Liga Endesa games, with Rodrigo San Miguel and Jorge Serna remaining on the staff, the club said. (basquetmanresa.com) The announcement kept the change internal rather than naming an outside replacement immediately. COPE reported on May 18 that García de Vitoria said the situation was difficult but “not impossible,” and that he retained an “absolute belief” the team could stay up. The same report said Llompart declined to project beyond the immediate fight for survival. (casademontzaragoza.es) ### How close is Zaragoza to the drop? Casademont Zaragoza entered the final stretch of the season in the lower end of the Liga Endesa table. The standings shown on BAXI Manresa’s official site after round 32 listed Zaragoza at 9-22 in 16th place, with MoraBanc Andorra also on 9-22 and the relegation fight still active. Marca reported the coaching change came with the team one defeat away from the relegation places with three rounds left. (cope.es) Aragón Deporte said Plaza’s 3-9 run had left the club “al borde del abismo,” or on the brink. ### What happens over the next few days? May 18 was the first formal step in the transition, with Llompart and García de Vitoria scheduled to speak publicly in Zaragoza, the club said. (basquetmanresa.com) COPE reported that García de Vitoria identified the next game as one against UCAM Murcia and said two wins from the remaining schedule would guarantee safety. (marca.com) The league calendar on acb.com shows the regular season in its final rounds, and Zaragoza’s next results will determine whether the coaching change affects only the closing days of this campaign or a larger reset in the summer. The immediate named participants are García de Vitoria on the bench, Llompart in the front office and the players facing the last three Liga Endesa games. (acb.com) (casademontzaragoza.es)