ESP - Fernandez fires DKV into top four

MADRID (ACB) - Rudy Fernandez powered DKV Joventut into the top four of the ACB standings over the weekend with one of the best individual performances of the season.

Now the aim of the Spain international is to ensure DKV's standards do not slip over the final weeks of the regular season with the ACB play-offs looming ever larger.

Fernandez won the third MVP of the week award of his ACB career after collecting a match-high 29 points, four rebounds and four assists in DKV's 87-74 victory over Caja San Fernando on Sunday.

The 22-year-old shooting guard's performance saw him obtain an overall rating of 41 points - the second-highest total recorded by any of this season's 28 winners.

"To receive this prize is nice, as it is to pass 40 points in the valuation for the first time," Fernandez said on www.acb.com.

DKV's victory saw them climb up to fourth place with a 19-10 record, the same as Akasvayu Girona who lost 74-71 at home to Pamesa Valencia.

It was also DKV's third win on the trot and, with just six games remaining in the regular season, Fernandez is keen to see his side set their targets high.

"We knew that it was an important game, we had a chance to take fourth place and we did not fail," added Fernandez, a member of Spain's gold-medal winning side at last summer's FIBA World Championship.

"Now we depend on ourselves and our only objective is to finish in the top four places in the regular season.

"We want to continue improving and arrive at the play-offs in good form. To have home advantage is important but more than that it is important to arrive in good form."

FIBA