The Tenerife squad, firmly holding the seventh position in the standings with a 15-12 record, will compete against Bàsquet Girona, a team arriving with high spirits after virtually securing their spot in the league. However, the Catalan team carries a lingering challenge since 2022: they have never managed to defeat the Tenerife team in the top division.
For Moncho Fernández, coach of Bàsquet Girona, every visit to Tenerife presents a unique hurdle, as the island team is one of his two “bogey teams” in the league, alongside Real Madrid. The historical record is clear, with a 0-7 advantage for La Laguna Tenerife since Girona's promotion. Although the last encounter resulted in a narrow 89-96 victory for the Canarians, the dominance of Txus Vidorreta's team has been consistent.
“"This is not an opinion, it is a fact: Tenerife is the best offensive team in the Liga Endesa."
The Galician coach emphasized that the La Laguna team “plays from memory” and praised the quality of their key players, such as Marcelinho Huertas and Gio Shermadini, who are now complemented by the talent of Patty Mills and the effective outside shooting of Fitipaldo and Doornekamp.
To counter La Laguna Tenerife's suffocating offensive pressure, Bàsquet Girona will rely on Mark Hughes's current form and Derek Needham's leadership. Nevertheless, the Catalan team faces the match with significant absences. Maxi Fjellerup will miss the remainder of the season after surgery, and the participation of Argentine center Juan Fernández is uncertain due to knee inflammation.
“"We need a very big effort on defense and rebounding. If we are not able to score, it will be very difficult because they constantly put you under pressure."
While Bàsquet Girona aims to match their historical record of 13 elite victories, La Laguna Tenerife is focused on securing the best possible position for the championship playoffs. The formidable connection between Huertas and Shermadini, combined with the solidity of Abromaitis and Cook in the paint, makes the Canarian team a formidable opponent at home. The game at the Los Majuelos pavilion is crucial not only for the points at stake but also for the momentum both teams seek to build in this decisive phase of the season.
