Preview: Mataro Faces Uphill Battle Against League-Leading Maristas

CORUNA, Spain (Interstat) — The Maristas women’s professional basketball team, boasting one of the Spain LF’s best records, will look to continue its dominant season when it hosts a struggling Mataro squad on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The matchup at Coruna presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Maristas (18-3 across all competitions) enters as a powerhouse, having won 10 of its last 11 games. Its only recent stumble was a 74-69 road loss to Mariscos on Feb. 21. Mataro (12-9) has been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses in its last five contests.

Maristas, which won the previous meeting 61-48 in Mataro on Nov. 29, 2025, is led by guard Nevena Dimitrijevic. She is coming off a near double-double performance in a 74-70 win at Pontevedra on March 7, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Over her last four games, she has averaged 14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Mataro will counter with forward Marina Laborda, its most potent offensive threat. Laborda erupted for 18 points in the team’s last outing, a narrow 64-62 road victory over CBF Manresa on March 1. However, her production has fluctuated, scoring just four points in a Feb. 22 home loss to Ausarta.

For Mataro to pull an upset, it will need more consistent support for Laborda. Ariadna Talaveron (nine points, seven rebounds, four assists vs. Manresa) and Helena Lopez (12 points, six rebounds) provided key contributions in that win. Mataro’s defense, which has held opponents under 65 points in three of its last four wins, will be tested by a deep Maristas offense.

Maristas’ strength extends beyond Dimitrijevic. In the win over Pontevedra, Ana Jimenez and Sofia Arcos combined for 17 points and 19 rebounds, highlighting the team’s interior presence. The team has scored 80 or more points in four games this season.

The game is the start of a critical final stretch for both clubs as they position themselves for the postseason. Following this contest, Maristas travels to face Siroko Gijon Basketball on March 21, while Mataro hosts Mariscos the same day.