The Roberto Estrello Pavilion hosts the 54th edition of the summer tournament from today, featuring five male teams and three female teams. The semifinals will take place on Thursday, July 30, and the finals on Friday, July 31.
The Roberto Estrello Pavilion in Santa Cruz de La Palma has once again smelled of basketball. This Monday, July 20, the 54th Summer Competition began, a tournament that has been part of the sporting summer in the capital of La Palma for over half a century. Eight teams —five male and three female— will compete for the title until July 31, in an event that the Santa Cruz de La Palma City Council has described as “a tradition that unites generations.”
Half a century of basketball in the capital of La Palma
The competition, which started in the 1970s, has established itself as one of the most anticipated sporting events of the summer on the island. The City Council, through its Sports Department, has highlighted that the tournament “not only promotes grassroots sports but also strengthens community ties.” The stands of the Roberto Estrello, which can accommodate several hundred spectators, are expected to fill up again with families and basketball fans who passionately follow the matches each year.
“Basketball is part of our summer identity. Watching the teams compete at the Roberto Estrello is a classic that never goes out of style,” municipal sources state.
This year's edition features local teams and those from other municipalities on the island, giving it a regional character. The female teams, three in total, demonstrate that women's basketball continues to gain ground in La Palma.
Group stage and playoffs: this is how it’s played
From July 20 to 29, the group stage will take place, with two matches daily at 19:00 and 20:30 at the Roberto Estrello Pavilion. The eight teams will face each other in a round-robin format, and the top four teams will advance to the semifinals. On Thursday, July 30, the semifinals will be played: the first-placed team will face the fourth, and the second will meet the third, in the afternoon. Friday, July 31, will be the grand closing day, with the third and fourth place match at 17:30, the women's final at 19:00, the men's final at 20:30, and finally, the trophy presentation at 22:00. The City Council has encouraged residents to “enjoy an evening of basketball with family” and reminded that entry is free.
A summer of hoops and community
Beyond the competition, the tournament is a perfect excuse for locals to gather around the sport. Now in its 54th edition, it shows that basketball in Santa Cruz de La Palma is not just a game, but a tradition that renews itself every summer. The teams, made up of players of all ages, demonstrate that the talent pool remains alive. And even though the heat may be intense, the atmosphere in the pavilion promises to be cool and vibrant. For those wanting to know who will take the title, they will have to wait until Friday, July 31. However, surprises are guaranteed: in over half a century, excitement has never been lacking.
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