Ehe Lenovo Tenerife once again defeated Gran Canaria (81-77) in the third derby that both teams have played this season, although this, the one played in the Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion, was undoubtedly the most even of all.
Two great teams in search of two important points at stake and that was evident on the field. The clash was even, although not with good basketball, motivated by the numerous fouls reported (48 between the two teams).
Today’s game did not have a clear dominator and the fouls caused many of those who could be protagonists not to have the desired minutes on the pitch.
Departure in a whirlwind of the people of Tenerife
The two teams came out intense from minute 1 of the game, although with a much more successful Lenovo Tenerife, getting 7-0 after two minutes of the game. It took the team led yesterday by Víctor García to get into the game, but they did it before reaching the first break, taking advantage of the fact that Gio Shermadini had gone to the bench.
And it is that without the Georgian center on the field, Lenovo Tenerife had problems controlling the game and the score. His two fouls condemned him to spend the second quarter on the bench, which the rival took advantage of to equalize the game (19-19, min. 12 after a triple by Ferrán Bassas.
Time-out for Vidorreta to order his team and then another for Víctor García for the same, but the truth is that if the locals managed to get away (30-25, min19), the rival would soon approach, to reach the break with a tied 33-31.
The outside pitches were not working for any team and it was the inside that set the tone so far.
The dynamic duo springs into action
With Shermadini on the field, Lenovo Tenerife felt more secure, but Huertas also played more confident with the pivot on the pitch. That couple put their team ahead on the scoreboard again until they reached a seven-point lead (54-47, min27).
Raising the defensive intensity was the obligation of “Granca” to try to recover positions in the game. He did it and helped the outside success of Slaughter, who threw the team behind him, and Albicy, scoring an important triple. End of the third quarter and a difference (59-51), which at least allowed the local team to breathe.
Balcerowski relaunches Gran Canaria
Balcerowski returned to the field and would become one of the great protagonists of the match, along with Marcelinho Huertas. The center from Gran Canaria led his team’s attacks and scored 19 points in the last ten minutes, sustaining his team in the game with a chance of winning.
But if Balcerowski shone in the visiting team, Huertas klo did it in the Lenovo Tenerife, not only directing perfectly but also scoring ten key points.
Gran Canaria, with a basket by Balcerowski, tied the match at 71 points with three minutes remaining and it was the same player who took advantage of Lenovo Tenerife’s bad attacks to score and increase the difference (71-74).
The game was open and that was when the team needed Huertas to try to win. He scored six consecutive points (79-76) and was the way to victory, which was certified by Fitipaldo scoring two free throws, with 12 seconds remaining and putting the final 81-77.
Datasheet:
81. Lenovo Tenerife (19+14+26+22): Fitipaldo (7), Fernandez (5), Cook (6), Doornekamp (5), Shermadini (15) -initial-, Rodriguez (-), Salin (6), Gardens (22), War (5), Diagne (5). 7), Abromaitis (3) and Bolmaro (-).
77. Gran Canaria (11+20+20+26): Slaughter (14), Albicy (8), Brussino (6), Shurna (6), Balcerowski (21) -initial-, Bassas (7), Benite (4), Salvó (2), Diop (4) and Carrera ( 5).
Referees: Cortes, Manuel and Merino. They pointed out technique to Carrera, from Gran Canaria, and to Sergio Rodríguez, from Lenovo Tenerife (min. 14).
Incidences: Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion, before some five thousand people. The Gran Canaria coach, Jaka Lakovic, watched the game from the box after being suspended.
