Positive Signs in First Pre-Season Test
La Laguna Tenerife kicked off their friendly fixtures this Sunday with a solid team victory over Casademont Zaragoza (73-85) during a match held in Sarriguren (Navarra). Beyond the result, which holds little significance at this early stage of pre-season, today’s encounter served as a fruitful test for gaining rhythm and positive vibes ahead of the official start of the season.
The welcome return of Fran Guerra, who was incisive in his movements, scoring twelve points (the Gran Canarian played again more than five months after his injury), an outstanding offensive performance by Jaime Fernández (17 points, including four three-pointers), as well as the contributions from Aaron Doornekamp (four successful attempts from 6.75), Joan Sastre, Tim Abromaitis, and others, were among the positive takeaways from the Aurinegros’ commendable collective effort.
Missing from the line-up were Rokas Giedraitis and Gio Shermadini, who are currently with their national teams for the Eurobasket, along with Bruno Fitipaldo and Lluís Costa, who rested due to minor injuries. Nevertheless, all eleven available professionals contributed to the scoresheet, while players from the U22 reserve team, Rafa Rodríguez and Manuel Crujeiras, also received some minutes towards the end of the match.
The match marked the official debut for new signings Wesley Van Beck, Héctor Alderete, and Dylan Bordón, who are gradually integrating into the team’s routines. Despite being early in the pre-season and following a summer break, the squad demonstrated promising signs of collaboration, both defensively and in their ball circulation and three-point shooting.
The game began with Casademont making the most of Miguel González’s fundamentals (5-0 to start), and a lively Joaquin Rodríguez, fresh off a strong showing with Uruguay in the Americup, attempted to widen the gap on the scoreboard (10-5, 14-7, 18-12). However, Canarias displayed patience and gradually settled into the match under the wise guidance of Marcelinho Huertas.
Several quality actions from Joan Sastre and a strong defensive stance by the Aurinegros helped shift the game’s momentum in favour of the islanders, despite the open three-pointers from Bojan Dubjlevic. Zaragoza, missing Bell Haynes, Santi Yusta, and Marco Spissu, looked to Devin Robinson for inspiration but went into halftime down by three points (41-44).
After the break, La Laguna Tenerife seized control and established the tempo that suited them best. The continued efforts of Fran Guerra and the skill of Jaime Fernández enabled the Tenerife side to break away, extending their lead (56-72, 63-81) and, despite a late rally from Zaragoza headed by Stevenson, they effectively managed their advantage to secure the victory.
Without official statistics
Scorers for La Laguna Tenerife
Marcelinho Huertas (4), Wesley Van Beck (6), Thomas Scrubb (3), Aaron Doornekamp (12), Fran Guerra (12) – starting five -, Kostas Kostadinov (4), Jaime Fernández (17), Joan Sastre (10), Héctor Alderete (5), Tim Abromaitis (10), Dylan Bordón (2), Rafa Rodríguez and Manuel Crujeiras.
Officials
Carlos Peruga, Roberto Lucas, and Javier Torres.
Quarter Scores
23-21, 41-44 – halftime -, 56-69, and 73-85.
Incidents
Official opening match of the new Sarriguren Pavilion.
— Photos provided by Miguel Jimeno Fernández and CBC
