By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
ANTWERP– Tenerife implemented some granite-powered defense to shut down Antwerp Giants and force them to just 50 points in the Basketball Champions League semifinal. Their efficiency wasn’t limited into making stops though.
On the other end, Txus Vidoretta’s players dished out 19 assists overall. It’s a huge output for the 70 points the team finished the game with.
Tenerife center Colton Iverson wasn’t surprised when he heard that number of dimes. After all, he’s well aware of the teamwork his squad implements on the hardwood.
“It’s the most unselfish team I’ve ever played with,” Iverson told Eurohoops. “We all really care about each other. We just want to do whatever it takes to win.”
“We all love each other and got each other’s back. Through thick and thin. Tough times in the game. And fun times in the game. We’re in this together,” the 29-year-old American big guy added.
Iverson trusts that this feeling of camaraderie will push the team towards winning the Basketball Champions League crown. Tenerife faces Virtus Bologna in the Final Sunday (5/5) and if they beat the Italian side, they’ll add their second BCL cup in their trophy case.
“We have a very complete team. And we play team defense and team offense. Anybody can score on any night. Since the beginning of the season everything felt good. Our chance of winning felt good. I’ve always felt that we’re one of the best teams in the competition. And now we’re in the title game.”
“We’re going to give it our all. Do whatever it takes to win this championship,” Iverson affirmed.
Iverson, a player well-travelled in European basketball, with stints in such teams as Baskonia and Maccabi Tel Aviv, has been contributing 10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds to Tenerife this season in BCL. He’s been his team’s top rebounder and performer with an average of 13.8 in PIR.
“It’s been one of my best years as a professional. Statistically my best. But the team has been doing well. It’s just very fun being a part of this team and I’m very happy with how I’m doing this year,” Iverson said.
300 Tenerife fans will push the Spanish team towards winning the second BCL title in the history of the club. Iverson expects to be as loud as they were on Friday.
“Our fans have been amazing all year. They support us all the time. They are loud and they feel us with energy. They show up in road games. I mean you saw they came in Belgium.