Patty Mills: The “Mencey” Inspiring La Laguna Tenerife’s Playoff Run

La Laguna Tenerife has emerged as one of the most compelling stories of the Liga Endesa season, securing a spot in the semifinals after eliminating reigning champions Real Madrid. The team’s success is anchored by the veteran leadership of Marcelinho Huertas and Australian star Patty Mills, whose integration into the island’s culture has become a defining narrative of these playoffs. Mills, who arrived just two months ago, has publicly credited the history and resilience of the native Guanche people as a source of motivation for the squad.

A Connection Rooted in Heritage

The synergy between Mills and his new home is not coincidental. As a proud Indigenous Australian, Mills shares a deep, personal connection with the concept of ancestral resilience. His mother, Yvonne, is a member of the Stolen Generations—a group of Aboriginal children forcibly separated from their families by Australian authorities during the 20th century in an attempt to erase their cultural identity. This personal history has long driven Mills’ advocacy, including his “All Hands In” foundation and his historic role as the first Indigenous Australian to serve as a flag-bearer at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Seeking to understand his new surroundings, Mills was introduced to the history of the Guanches—the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands—by José Farrujia, a historian and archaeologist at the University of La Laguna. Their exploration of the Anaga Rural Park, including the ancient enclave of Chinamada and La Punta del Hidalgo, provided the spark for the team’s current playoff identity.

Tactical Resilience: The Lesson of Anaga

The playoff series against Real Madrid served as the ultimate test of this newfound philosophy. After a narrow 97-98 victory at the Movistar Arena, Tenerife suffered a demoralizing 83-118 home defeat. It was in the face of this adversity that Mills turned to the lessons of the Guanches, who survived for centuries in the rugged, isolated, and wind-swept mountains of Anaga.

“The Guanches lived in a territory that demanded something from them every day,” Mills wrote on social media ahead of the decisive third game. He characterized the struggle of the Guanches as a blueprint for high-stakes basketball, noting that the ability to remain connected and calm under pressure is what defines a championship-caliber team. Mills went on to score 29 points in the final game against Real Madrid, effectively ending the Spanish giants’ season.

Looking Ahead to the Semifinals

The path to the Liga Endesa title remains arduous for La Laguna Tenerife. Having dispatched the defending champions, they now face FC Barcelona in a best-of-five series. Despite the challenge of playing without home-court advantage, Mills continues to serve as the emotional heartbeat of the locker room, frequently sharing messages with fans and teammates that emphasize the theme of “resisting and enduring.”

Local supporters have been quick to embrace the veteran, bestowing upon him the moniker of the “Australian Guanche” and, more formally, the “Mencey”—a title historically reserved for the kings or leaders of the Guanche menceyatos. As the team prepares for the next phase of the competition, the collective spirit forged in the mountains of Anaga remains central to their ambition.

La Laguna Tenerife continues its playoff campaign against FC Barcelona, with the series schedule determined by league officials. Fans can follow official team updates and match reports through the Liga Endesa portal.