By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Heading to the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals, Lenovo Tenerife completed the Round of 16 undefeated after beating SIG Strasbourg, 71-66, at Pabellon Insular Santiago Martin Wednesday evening.
Deprived the services of Kyle Wiltjer in Round of 16 Gameday 6, Tenerife extended the winning streak behind veteran Brazilian guard Marcelo Huertas. The former player of the Los Angeles Lakers scored eight of his 12 points in the last quarter and dished out a game-high seven assists.
Despite a fruitless fourth quarter, Bruno Fitipaldo shared the team-high 12 points. Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini threw in ten points, eight rebounds, and one block. With the seventh consecutive BCL win and 11th in the last 12 games across all competitions, the San Cristobal de La Laguna club wrapped up Group L at 6-0.
Loaned in from Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, Kameron Taylor was by far the best performer for the visitors. He logged 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
The four-game Champions League winning streak on the road snapped sent Lassi Tuovi’s side to 3-3. Matt Mitchell (shoulder) suited up but was not available. Fellow injured teammates Jaromir Bohacik (ankle) and John Roberson (knee) are expected to remain out for several more weeks.
Txus Vidorreta’s side will be drawn against Unicaja, Tofas Bursa, or MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg with the home-court advantage in the best-of-three series of the Quarterfinals. On the opposite end of Friday’s draw, the French team will end up versus U-BT Cluj Napoca, Baxi Manresa, or Hapoel U-NET Holon.
Postgame press conference:
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League