Tomeu Rigo has been in Bilbao for five years. A five-year period in which he, for one thing or another, has hardly played, but he has received the immense affection of the people. First, because of his dedication on the track and, secondly, because of the charisma he has in the locker room and off the pitch. But he has the thorn in him of not being fully appreciated for what he really brought to Miribilla in 2018 after a dramatic decline: for basketball. The captain, along with Rabaseda, was injured last preseason. Again the man with the mallet, third break of the crusader. Goudelock had suffered from it shortly before and, at least this time, he had a companion to cry with. But the way back is known and he has not stopped working to be dressed in shorts again before finishing this course. The truth is that he has not yet been cleared, but he has already been called up in the last two games, a more testimonial presence than anything else, and as a reward to give him satisfaction. Before Breogán he received a standing ovation from the stands. Back 361 days later.
He has a gigantic desire to say goodbye to the year on the field at the end of the regular season against Unicaja. “Even if it was to make a group, I felt very good to go back to wearing shorts and sitting on the bench. I hope I can play something to feel like a player again. I have been training well for three weeks now and my dream is to return before the end of the season. For me it would be an achievement”, says Rigo on Radio Bilbao. He acknowledges that in this whole process, the worst thing is anxiety. “Definitely. Although this time things have gone better because I have not had any problems during the recovery. In the previous operation I had problems with the patellar tendon and you get a little frustrated when after fifteen months you see that you still have discomfort. Seeing that you can’t evolve is the worst, but this year everything has gone well and I don’t have any problems. It is difficult, but patience I have a master’s degree. You have to dodge all those stones that put you in the way. I have to thank the people of this club a lot. I am sure that in another place it would have been much more difficult to carry it”, affirms the Mallorcan guard.
The squad for next season is underway. Ponsarnau will continue to lead and it remains to be seen if Hakanson will stay or exercise his option to leave. Andersson has just been renewed, Pantzar is tied up and Radicevic, Rabaseda and Reyes have current contracts. Goudelock and Alonso too, but it is almost impossible for them to continue. One of the greats, Bilbao Basket wants Sulejmanovic to continue. An offer will also be launched to Smith. The club and Rigo are trying to reach an agreement to sign the renewal. The contractual relationship ends this year, but Tomeu hopes that it will not be the last. “I think so, that I will stay in Bilbao”, responds when asked about its possible continuity. His contribution is valued very positively and he is confident that the best version of him can finally be seen. “It is true that, with the injuries, I have not been able to have time to demonstrate or play with continuity, which is what gives you confidence. In the locker room I try to add and put together a team, because that is also noticeable on the track, ”says Rigo.
The team knows that the tenth position is at stake against Unicaja. He is confident in his chances despite the health of the group. Against Unicaja, Radicevic may be able to return if he overcomes his muscular problem, but just in case the club has recruited Sergio Llorente. Without Radicevic, to this day, and without Ubal, Ponsarnau was left without a base for that vital meeting. “We fully trust in being able to beat Unicaja. Sure it will be difficult because it is one of the best teams in the League, but at home we can beat anyone and that will be our mentality”, Rigo stresses.
Tomeu would not lower the final grade of the course if they do not beat Unicaja. “If last year the season was very good, with 16 victories, this year it should be too, because we have already achieved 14 with that last game to go. The objective of maintaining ourselves has been more than achieved, we almost got into the Cup and we are fighting until the end to play again during the week next season. I can’t rate the campaign the team has carried out less than ‘excellent’. Another thing is the games away from Miribilla in 2023. There we have suspended. For this reason, for humble teams like ours, it is very important to win at home”, concludes the shooting guard.
