By Javier Molero/ jmolero@eurohoops.net
Tenerife made history and eliminated Real Madrid in the first round of the playoffs after winning Game 3 on the road (107-95).
Patty Mills (29 p.), Marcelinho Huertas (23 p.), and newcomer German big man Kevin Yebo (22 p.) led the historic victory in Madrid to qualify for the semifinals. It’s the first time Real Madrid has been eliminated in the first round in the last 18 years.
Yebo was added to the roster to cover Giorgi Shermandini’s injury on the 25th of May, and he proved to be the right choice.
Tenerife surprised Real Madrid in the first half. Once again. Aaron Doornekamp and Marcelinho Huertas punished Scariolo’s team from beyond the arc before the break, getting a 49-45 lead.
Madrid fought back in the third quarter and entered the last period up by three (73-70), but Mills, Huertas, and Yebo’s sensational performance meant Real Madrid lost in the first round for the first time in 18 years (95-107).
A historic victory for coach Txus Vidorreta’s team. “It’s the greatest thing we’ve done together since the Copa del Rey final”, Vidorreta said after the victory.
Liga Endesa Playoffs
Quarterfinals
Real Madrid 1 – 2 La Laguna Tenerife (97-98, 83-118, 95-107)
UCAM Murcia 1 – 1 FC Barcelona (68-91, 90-87)
Valencia Basket 2 – 0 Surne Bilbao (83-80, 71-88)
Kosner Baskonia 1 – 1 Asisa Joventut (85-71, 82-63)
Semifinals
La Laguna Tenerife – Winner of UCAM Murcia/Barça
Valencia Basket – Winner of Baskonia/Joventut
Make