Xavi Serrano
Badalona (Barcelona) (EFE).- Lenovo Tenerife displayed its offensive arsenal in the regional derby against Gran Canaria (89-73) and, led by an inspired Jaime Fernández (26 points), qualified this Friday for the semifinals of the Copa del Rey that is being played at the Palau Olímpic in Badalona.
After a fast-paced and very successful opening quarter (30-25), Txus Vidorreta’s team escaped in the second round (55-38) and managed the income after going through the locker room.
Jaime Fernández stood out in the choral success of the Tenerife team, who with his energetic defense dried up the Argentine Nico Brussino (0 points, with a field goal, and 7 assists), ‘MVP’ of the Endesa League in the month of February. John Shurna (18 points) was the highlight of the yellow box.
Aurinegros and Claretians disputed an unprecedented duel in the ‘KO’ tournament. The former, in their seventh consecutive presence and after having surpassed the quarterfinals in four of the last five times. The seconds, on his return to the competition after four absent editions.
The duel began cheerfully, with a lot of rhythm and a high success rate for both teams. At the beginning, the leading role was for the exteriors. Fernández and Fitipaldo, with 12 points between them, gave Lenovo Tenerife a boost, but Gran Canaria replied with four three-pointers from Benite and Shurna (17-16, min.5).
The game then turned to the post, with an exchange between Khalifa Diop and Shermadini. To break the prevailing equality, Txus Vidorreta appealed to Salin and Marcelinho Huertas, who fueled a 13-0 run (38-25, min.12).
Gran Canaria’s defensive improvement stopped the bleeding, but the inspiration of Fernández, with ten points in the fourth and top scorer at halftime (16), kept his team in a clear lead (55-38).
More aggressive in defense and led by Huertas in attack, Lenovo Tenerife extended the lead (61-38, min.24). Gran Canaria pulled with pride to slow down the rival run, with Shurna (10 points in the fourth) as the most accurate player (72-58, end of the third quarter).
But the inspiration of Fernández, seconded by Shermadini in scoring, nipped the slightest temptation of a comeback (84-59, min.35).
With the ticket in their pocket (89-73), Lenovo Tenerife will face the winner of the duel between Cazoo Baskonia and Joventut Badalona this Saturday in the semifinals.
– Datasheet
89 – Lenovo Tenerife (30+25+17+17): Fitipaldo (15), Jaime Fernández (26), Cook (8), Doornekamp (2), Shermadini (12) -starting five-, Rodríguez (2), Huertas (9), Salin (11), Diagné (-), Abromaitis (2) and Guerra (2).
73 – Gran Canaria (25+13+17+15): Albicy (7), Benite (6), Brussino (-), Shurna (18), Diop (12) -starting five-, Inglis (2), Balcerowski ( 7), Kljajic (-), Slaughter (3), Bassas (8), Salvó (8) and López De la Torre (2).
Referees: Daniel Hierrezuelo, Benjamín Jiménez, Alfonso Olivares and Óscar Perea. No deleted.
Incidents: Match of the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey played at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in Badalona before 9,386 spectators. EFE
