Canarinhos in Spain

[by Gustavo Machado Cardoso] - Bilbao Basket is not running at the same speed as it was in the beginning of the season, but Marcelo Huertas continues to fuel the Basque system in the hope to get to the playoffs. Yesterday evening, Bilbao and Menorca played a very tight match that was decided only in the last play of the game.

Luke Recker had the chance to hit the winning shot, but couldn’t get off his hands in a suitable form. Huertas scored 4 points in a night where he shot 22% from the field.

TAU lost to Leon at home in front of almost 7,000 fans (88-93). Tiago Splitter, who is averaging 13.9 points per game, came off the bench to add 16 points and 7 rebounds to the Basques. The team from Victoria Gasteiz sits in third position with 18 wins and 8 losses trailing Real Madrid and Joventut. This was TAU’s second loss in the last eight games on ACB (the team was coming off a three game winning streak).

Caio Torres’ Estudiantes beat Manresa 88-76 at home with the Brazilian coming off the bench to add 6 points and 4 rebounds. Hernan Jasen led the Madrid squad with 19 points and 4 rebounds. This was Estudiante’s eighth win of the season, which puts them in 17th place in the standings. With eight rounds to go in the regular season, Torres and his teammates are serious candidates for relegation.

In LEB Gold, CAI Zaragoza continues to charge towards ACB dreams. Among the Brazilians playing in the league, Vitor Faverani’s Bruesa is the best placed team, currently sitting at third position. The 19 year old Brazilian forward is averaging 6.2 points per game, but last Wednesday, in the loss against Alicante (79-90) at home, scored only 3 points.

Plus Pujol Lleida posted a 31 point win over Vila de los Barrios (103-72) with amazing performances by Rafael Hettshemeier (31 points and 11 rebounds) and Marcus Vinicius Toledo (17 points and 7 rebounds). The Lleida squad currently sits at fifth position in the standings with 15 wins and 10 losses.

In LEB Plata Axarquia leads the competition table with 20 wins and only 5 losses in the season. Last Wednesday, powered by Paulo “Baby Shaq” Prestes, who is averaging 16.8 points per contest, the team beat Costa Urbana by 26 points (87-61). Marcos Souza also played scoring 3 points in 5m46s of play.

Sidão Lima had 6 points and 6 rebounds in Tarragona’s win over Plasencia (72-76). The Catalan squad is still in playoff contention sitting at ninth place with 12 wins and 13 losses.

Gestiberica Vigo leads LEB Bronce with 18 wins and 5 losses. The Brazilian highlight in the league continues to be Jhonatan Luz who is playing for Rayet Guadalajara averaging 10.5 points per game. The team had a bye week in the last round, but continues in the third position after 23 rounds, with 16 wins and 7 losses.

In the EBA ranks, Augusto Lima, a 16 year old 206 cm power forward, continues to be the best bet of Canarinho hoops playing for Unicaja in Group D. He is averaging 10.1 points per game in the season.