By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After FC Barcelona’s hard-fought playoff victory over La Laguna Tenerife on Thursday, head coach Xavi Pascual offered high praise for veteran guard Patty Mills. The Australian icon put on a vintage FIBA Patty performance, exploding for 36 points and nearly swinging Game 2 of a best-of-five series in the Semifinals of the Liga Endesa Playoffs 2026.
Barca’s play-caller acknowledged the immense challenge of containing the 37-year-old combo guard. “The only way to stop him is to give him the wrong direction in the arena,” Pascual joked. “He’s an extraordinary player, with an incredible history in the NBA and with the Australian national team. He has a supernatural talent for scoring.”
“It’s difficult to stop these players when they’re on a roll. We have to try not to let them score so easily,” added the 53-year-old tactician on the former NBA champion, previewing upcoming encounters in the ACB postseason, with Game 3 following on Saturday.
Mills spearheaded a fierce Tenerife comeback, hitting crucial three-pointers to level the scores. Overcoming his 36-point masterclass, the Catalan giants secured a 2–0 series lead. They now stand just one win away from clinching a berth in the Finals.
Liga Endesa Playoffs 2026
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Real Madrid – La Laguna Tenerife 1-2 (97-98, 118-83, 95-107)
Valencia – Surne Bilbao 2-0 (83-80, 88-71)
Kosner Baskonia – Asisa Joventut 1-2 (85-71, 63-82, 88-96)
UCAM Murcia – FC Barcelona 1-2 (68-91, 90-87,
76-100)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
FC Barcelona – La Laguna Tenerife 2-0 (100-67, 97-89)
Valencia – Asisa Joventut 1-0 (118-117)
Finals (best-of-five)
Semifinals winners
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