Lenovo Tenerife leveled the playoff series with a commanding 103-76 victory at Santiago Martín on Sunday, forcing a decisive fifth game to be played in Badalona on Tuesday. The clash was a tense, climatic duel between the Canaries and Joventut, one that intensified as the series progressed and now stands at one win apiece before the final chapter unfolds on the road.
The Canaries, fresh from a EuroCup title run, found their rhythm at home and answered the Catalans’ earlier blowout with a performance that injected energy into the arena. A furious start set the tone, with Tenerife racing ahead early and surpassing their total points from the entire first quarter of the previous meeting within the opening 90 seconds. Joventut, for their part, absorbed the early punch and settled into a steadier pace, yet an aggressive Tenerife defense and efficient execution kept the visitors on their heels, especially in the first stretch where the hosts built an 11-point lead in the opening minutes.
The locals extended their advantage as the game wore on. The second quarter showcased a balanced attack, with Key contributions from Bassas and Tomic keeping the Joventut offense at arm’s length. Tenerife hit nine of 12 attempts from beyond the arc, underscoring their perimeter accuracy and sealing a 20-point cushion at the break, 54-34. The rhythm imposed by Txus Vidorreta’s squad forced Joventut to scramble to close the gap, as the visitors found little success in initiating sustained pressure. Their offense stalled at times, and Tenerife’s disciplined defense created turnovers that turned into fast-break opportunities.
In the third period, the pace remained intense. Tomic, Bassas, and Feliz repeatedly tested Joventut’s resolve, contributing 39 of Tenerife’s 51 points in the stanza. The Canaries capitalized on every mistake, extending their lead and dampening the visitors’ confidence. A standout performance from Wiltjer proved decisive on the night. The Canadian power forward delivered a game-high 37 points and joined the franchise’s playoff record for most three-pointers with six, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the floor and stretch the court for his teammates.
With the series tilted in their favor, Tenerife did not let up. The home team’s defense tightened even further, and their offense executed with precision, pushing Joventut into desperation modes. The decisive momentum carried into the final stretch, and two minutes before the end of the second game, Tenerife eclipsed the 100-point mark, a milestone that underscored the dominance of the night. It was a performance that fans will remember for its clarity and for the clear indication of Tenerife’s championship pedigree at this stage of the postseason. Marcelinho Huertas set an All-Playoff benchmark by recording 11 assists, becoming the single-best distributor in the series and adding another chapter to his already storied playoff legacy. The performance came in a context where Babacar Ndiaye and Sergio Llull’s past playoff records were cited as benchmarks, emphasizing the high level of play at this stage.
The scene now shifts to the third and decisive game of the series, scheduled for Tuesday on Joventut’s home floor in Olympic. Both teams have a chance to close the series and advance, and the upcoming clash promises to be a battle of resolve as they each aim to recognize the other’s strengths and exploit any weaknesses that surface in a winner-take-all scenario. As the teams prepare, fans in both cities anticipate a dramatic finale that could define the trajectory of the season in this tightly contested matchup.
Data sheet
103 – Lenovo Tenerife: Huertas (12), Salin (16), Shermadini (10), Doornekamp (8) and Wiltjer (37) — starting five; Borg (-), Fitipaldo (14), Smith, Rodriguez, Sulejmanovic (-), Todorovic (-), Guerra (4), Sastre (2).
76 – Joventut: Feliz (16), Ribas (6), Parra (2), Willis (4) and Tomic (19) — starting five; Busquets (2), Paul, Vives (8), Ventura (-), Bassas (13), Birgander (6), Maronka.
Partial: 26-11, 28-23, 23-21, 26-21.
Refs: Garcia Gonzalez, Martin Caballero and Sergio Manuel. Pep Busquets was disqualified from Joventut for personal fouls.
Auditorium: Santiago Martín, 5,029 spectators.
Notes: The series expectations and stats referenced align with the league record books and game-by-game reports from the Endesa League archives and postgame summaries cited in season recaps [Source: Endesa League official records].