By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
The Pope may have been the main focus in Barcelona in recent hours, but Barça kicked off the playoffs with a performance seemingly touched by the gods. Xavi Pascual’s team defeated La Laguna Tenerife 100-67, a resounding victory that puts the Blaugrana up 1-0 in the semifinals.
Darío Brizuela, with 18 points, was the top scorer for the home team. Laprovittola (12, including four three-pointers) and Toko Shengelia (14 points) were his key supporting cast. For Tenerife, Kevin Yebo finished with 16 points.
From the outset, it was clear that Barça was much more focused on the game. Perhaps it was the momentum from their elimination of UCAM Murcia or simply the start of the semifinals, but one thing is certain: Barça was on fire on both offense and defense. At no point in the game were Barcelona trailing, with the home team’s advantage only growing as the minutes ticked by.
Supporting players like Fall and Juani Marcos shone, and even Laprovittola had moments of pure magic, making the 46-27 halftime score a logical result.
The break changed nothing, and the home team’s largest lead of the game even increased. Even the introduction of Marcelinho Huertas, who struggled to find his range from mid-range, offered no hope to the visitors, who finished the third quarter trailing 72-48.
With the game already decided, Xavi Pascual took the liberty of incorporating Willy Hernangómez into the team’s lineup, giving him significant playing time that the center capitalized on. And that was precisely one of the best pieces of news for Barça, who, in addition to continuing to win and win very well, see how all their players – pillars and secondary players – are in a very great moment of form to face the great national title.
Liga Endesa Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Real Madrid 1 – 2 La Laguna Tenerife (97-98), (83-118), (95-107)
- Valencia Basket 2 – 0 Surne Bilbao (83-80), (71-88)
- Kosner Baskonia 1 – 2 Asisa Joventut (85-71), (63-82), (88-96)
- UCAM Murcia 1 – 2 Barça (68-91), (87-90), (76-100)
Semifinals
- Barça 1 – 0 La Laguna Tenerife (100-67)
- Valencia Basket – Asisa Joventut
Photo credit: ACB
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