Unicaja comes back to La Laguna Tenerife to defend its leadership

Unicaja defeated La Laguna Tenerife (84-81) with a great comeback in the last quarter at the Martín Carpena to defend its leadership alone, in a ninth day of the Endesa League that also left this Saturday the triumphs of Casademont Zaragoza and MoraBanc Andorra to look up in the table.

Ibon Navarro’s men reinforced their position and their morale with a worthy victory against a Canarian team that aspired to equal the Malaga team at the top of the table. Those from Txus Vidorreta had it in their hand in the third quarter, where they led by 14 points (41-55), but local pride came to the fore.

In a national basketball classic in recent years, with more than one title at stake between the two, the exchange of blows in the first half gave way to a better Tenerife in the resumption. With a partial score of 16-25, the victory seemed to fly to La Laguna, but Unicaja resisted with a great Dylan Osetkowski (20 points), well accompanied by Kameron Taylor (12) and Melvin Ejim (12).

Those from Malaga thus add the eighth victory of the course, defending the leadership from the stalking of the Canaries, who remain at six with one game less. In addition, the day left a step ahead for Basket Zaragoza and Andorra. The Maños beat Surne Bilbao Basket (82-71) and the Andorrans did the same (85-98) against Bàsquet Girona, in two matches without emotion.

The skilled team finished five out of five at home to place eighth with its fifth victory, with the day remaining. Jilson Bango (19 points) and Marco Spissu (18) led Zaragoza’s good game. Meanwhile, MoraBanc Andorra reacted to the three defeats they had during their visit to Fontajau to leave the Catalans in the relegation zone and sign their fourth victory. Shannon Evans, Nikos Chougkaz and Jerrick Harding were a deadly trio.

Meanwhile, in a direct duel in the lower zone, Coviran Granada prevented the rise of bottom team Río Breogán (74-92) to achieve its third victory. On his return to Lugo, Scott Bamforth, with 24 points (6 triples), led the Nasrid exhibition with another great performance by Amine Noua (14 points, 7 rebounds and 23 PIR).