By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Santiago Martin Arena seems impenetrable for the guests in the Basketball Champions League, as Tenerife improves it’s winning streak at home to 16 games, just one shy from the AS Monaco’s record.
The latest team to fall beneath the fortress in San Cristobal de La Laguna is VEF Riga, as Txus Vidorreta’s side recorded a comanding 76-55 win.
Jaime Fernandez led the scoring charts in the second victory of the season with 22 points, dishing out seven assists for a game-high PIR of 23. Dusan Ristic followed the Spaniard with 16 points, Marcelinho Huertas added 12, while Giorgi Shermadini also reached double figures, scoring 11 points for the winning side.
Jaizec Lottie had 11 points for Riga, while Isaiah Pineiro, Brendan Adams, and Arnoldo Toro Barea added 10 points each, with the latter also grabbing eight rebounds.
Interestingly, the guests had a better start to the game, leading 14-19 after 10 minutes, and staying in front until the halftime break, but with just a 35-36 surplus. Tenerife started taking over in the third period, gaining a 57-46 lead before the final quarter. Soon it was clear there was no coming back for the Latvian side, as Vidorreta’s team improved their advantage almost with every minute, to secure a convincing victory.
Tenerife now tops Group C with a 2-1 score, sharing the record with Darussafaka and Cholet, while VEF Riga remains winless after three rounds. The Spanish side will face Darussafaka in the next round, while Cholet goes to Latvia (21/11).
Referee Aleksandar Glisic Injured
During the game, referee Aleksandar Glisic sustained what seems to be a knee injury. He required medical assistance and left the court on a stretcher, retiring from the game.
Postgame press conference
Photo: fiba.basketball