Lenovo Tenerife took forward on Wednesday the first match of the best-of-three tie against Pinar Karsiyaka (76-69) in the Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion, within the second phase of the FIBA Champions League.
After thirty-five minutes of great equality and with a score that did not have a clear dominator, the iunsular team took advantage two consecutive triples by Sasu Salin to put an important difference in the electronic and take the game forward, a victory that now allows him to travel to Turkish lands with the necessary peace of mind that, if he loses next week, he will have another chance at Santiago Martín.
Two very intense teams, but not very successful in the first two quarters. The first of them was for an island team that, despite still not having the necessary success from the three-point line, if he took the opportunity to score closer to the rim with forays from Huertas and Shermadini.
The second quarter was very similar, although it was the Tuecos who took control of the game, taking advantage of the fortress of Tyus and the good direction of Karkmaz they led the visitors to reach half-time with a certain advantage.
In spite of everything, the game, very competitive by both teams, still did not have a clear dominator. The people of Tenerife still lacked foreign success. To Salin and Doornekamp and it had to be Huertas, Wiltjer and Shermadini who stepped forward in attack.
With 54-52 the end of the third quarter was reached and everything to be decided. He reached the one expected and Salin scored a triple to make it 60-58 and, from that moment, in the 34th minute, Lenovo Tenerife did not allow their rival to take the lead on the scoreboard.
Fran Guerra would put the maximum Canarista advantage so far (62-58, min.36) and the insulares knew how to control those final four minutes that they were eternal before an adversary that squeezed until the end.
The second match will be played next week, a very difficult game and where Lenovo Tenerife could sentence the tie.