By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Marcelinho Huertas led the initial push for Iberostar Tenerife and the Spanish squad managed to stay ahead for an 85-75 home win despite a comeback effort by Filou Oostende.
Huertas was on fire from the tip-off as he banked 15 points in the first quarter to give Tenerife a 29-20 advantage. And he wasn’t alone. Sasu Salin and Giorgi Shermadini took over the baton while their primary playmaker was resting and kept the hosts up 48-37 at halftime.
Tenerife’s trio continued getting the job done after the break as well. Huertas finished with 19 points while also dishing ten assists and grabbing six boards. That also includes a ‘quarterback pass’ at the end of the first half.
Shermadini added 25 and Salin 16 points. On the other side, Yannick Desiron stepped up for Oostende which was missing Shevon Thompson and Mindaugas Kupsas down low. He made all seven of his shots on the way to 16 points while Loic Schwartz helped with 13 and MiKyle McIntosh with 12 points.
Oostende put on a comeback effort in the second half and managed to cut the gap to just two points (64-62) early in the fourth quarter, however, Tenerife answered with a 12-3 run to get back up and that distance was more than enough for them to secure the win.
Tenerife took the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series while the rematch is scheduled for March 10 in Belgium as Oostende tries to stay alive in the Basketball Champions League Round of 16.
“Huertas sees everything behind his back”
Oostende coach Dario Gjergja was disappointed that his squad couldn’t complete the comeback but gave credit to the experienced Tenerife squad led by Huertas: “We bounced back and some things I regret. We are there, we have some chances to do something but we missed five free throws in a row, I think. It’s hard, we fight we try to be there but I think the experience made the difference today. Especially when they have someone like Huertas who sees everything behind his back”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League