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oct 03 2026Txus Vidorreta experienced his first Liga Endesa game at Martín Carpena against the team he coached for ten seasons, and the night didn't go as expected. La Laguna Tenerife claimed victory (75-80) thanks to a decisive five-minute stretch between the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth, breaking open a game that had been closely contested until then. Unicaja, still winless, mounted a late comeback but fell just short.
An evenly matched first half
The two teams know each other inside and out after so many matchups in recent years, and it showed from the opening tip. Huertas on one side and Kendrick Perry on the other controlled the game, and the first quarter closed with a three-pointer from Unicaja's point guard (23-21).
The second quarter brought more turnovers, but no separation on the scoreboard. Unicaja, still adjusting to their new head coach's systems and missing key players like Alberto Díaz, found inspiration in Willy Hernangómez: the center celebrated a dunk with intensity that reflected his desire to prove himself after his time at Barcelona. In the debut of Matt Thomas, brought in to cover Tyler Kalinoski's temporary absence, Huertas tied it at halftime with a basket at the buzzer (39-39).
The stretch that decided the game
After the break, Tenerife began imposing their rhythm. Vidorreta's team couldn't find a way to break through the Canary Islands defense, and the visitors closed the third quarter with a four-point lead (55-59).
The decisive blow came early in the fourth quarter. Tenerife opened with an 8-0 run that left Unicaja scoreless for over two minutes, and a three-pointer from Kyle Guy, his 18th point of the night, made it 55-67 with less than eight minutes remaining.
A comeback that fell short
With the game seemingly decided, Unicaja fought back. Perry accelerated the pace, the Carpena crowd pushed, and a three-pointer from Amine Noua brought the home team closer, though Jaime Fernández answered from the same distance to maintain the cushion: 71-75 with 1:40 left.
The Málaga side had chances until the final minute, but two plays sealed the Canary Islands victory: a putback from Tim Abromaitis and two free throws from Jaime Fernández, the former Unicaja player, who finished with 13 points.
Read also
- Txus Vidorreta will not continue as head coach of La Laguna Tenerife
- Willy Hernangómez chooses Unicaja to revive his career
- Unicaja advances in signing Amine Noua
Huertas, decisive once again
Marcelinho Huertas was the brain of Tenerife's offense once more: 17 points, 7 assists and a rating of 21. Guy was the visiting team's leading scorer with 18 points, and Jaime Fernández contributed 13 from the bench, with the most important baskets down the stretch. For Unicaja, Perry (23 points) carried the offense, well supported by Hunt and Noua, with 13 each.
Box score
75 - Unicaja (23+16+16+20): Perry (23), Hunt (13), Brazdeikis (4), Noua (13), Kravish (9) -starting lineup- Barreiro (5), Hernangómez (6), Djedovic (0), Lukosius (0), Pantzar (2), Thomas (0).
80 - La Laguna Tenerife (21+18+20+21): Huertas (17), Guy (18), López-Arostegui (6), Abromaitis (7), Happ (8) -starting lineup- Fernández (13), Fitipaldo (0), Shermadini (0), Hunter (5), Alderete (0), Doornekamp (3), Kurucs (3).
