By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Back on the path for a direct berth to the Basketball Champions League Round of 16, Lenovo Tenerife secured at least a spot in the Play-Ins with the narrow win, 80-78, versus Prometey on Wednesday evening.
Georgian Giorgi Shermadini in his BCL season debut scored six out of his 14 points down the stretch. Reconnecting with his usual partner in crime, Marcelinho Huertas connected a couple of three-pointers, including a long-range shot for the 76-75 lead with 1:32 remaining. Bruno Fitipaldo registered a team-high 18 points plus six assists.
Despite the hosts jumping to an early 16-point lead, it was back and forth in the second half with the team coached by Ronen Ginzburg logging nearly 15 minutes in the lead at Santiago Martin. However, Tenerife once again came back in crunch time and in this case, marked its 11th consecutive Champions League win at home.
The breakout performance by Viacheslav Petrov with 19 points behind 7/7 field goals, including 5/5 threes, went to waste for Prometey. D’Angelo Harrison ended up with 17 points and D.J. Kennedy had 13 points. Recently sidelined, D.J. Stephens was out.
Besides the team coached by Txus Vidorreta, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg is also guaranteed a spot in the Play-Ins, if the top seed slips away. Both sides sit at 3-1 following Regular Season Round 4 of Group A. The German team will be next at San Cristobal de La Laguna on December 8.
The Ukraine champions, forced to 1-3, fell into a tie with Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari. The next BCL game, at home versus the Italian club on December 8, will be key for the remaining Play-Ins berth.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League