Unicaja was superior in the decisive moments / FIBA
Unicaja bounced back from its semifinal defeat and clinched third place in the Champions League Final Four in Badalona, defeating La Laguna Tenerife 85-80. With a stellar performance from Chris Audige (4/6 from three-point range), the Andalusian team showed more solidity when tightening on defense and hitting key shots on offense, overcoming a Tenerife side that rested the great Marcelinho Huertas.
UNI 85 – 80 TEN
**Lineups**
UNICAJA (85): Chase Audige (15), Kendrick Perry (9), Jonathan Barreiro (3), Killian Tillie (13), David Kravish (8) – starting five –, Tyler Kalinoski (12), Alberto Díaz (4), Olek Balcerowski (11), Tyson Perez (3), James Webb (5), and Justin Cobbs (2).
LA LAGUNA TENERIFE (80): Bruno Fitipaldo (5), Wesley Van Beck (6), Thomas Scrubb (3), Tim Abromaitis (4), Giorgi Shermadini (14) – starting five –, Patty Mills (23), Jaime Fernández (13), Fran Guerra (10), Aaron Doornekamp, Joan Sastre (2), and Héctor Alderete.
**Referees:** Ademir Zurapovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Martin Vulic (Croatia), and Petar Pesic (Serbia). No players fouled out.
**Incidents:** FIBA Champions League men’s basketball third-place match played at the Palau Olímpic (Badalona).
The two-time champions from Málaga took a watered-down revenge for the 2023 edition, when they played the same consolation match and lost to the Canary Islands side. The game started with both teams much more accurate than in their respective semifinals, leading to 20 combined points in the first four minutes (10-10, min. 4).
After the initial exchange of baskets, La Laguna Tenerife took the offensive initiative thanks to a sharp Thomas Scrubb, who had not played in the semifinal (12-18, min. 8). Unicaja quickly improved its performance on both ends of the floor and took the lead at the end of the first quarter with a mid-range basket from captain Alberto Díaz (24-22).
Balcerowski uses his physical advantage over Fitipaldo / FIBA
The script did not change in the second quarter, and a 2+1 from Giorgi Shermadini put the islanders back ahead (27-28, min. 14). Patty Mills then joined the party with two consecutive three-pointers to open a gap at the Olímpic de Badalona, prompting a timeout from Ibon Navarro (34-40, min. 18). The contest leveled out in the minutes before halftime, which arrived with the score 41-45.
Unicaja shifted into a higher gear after the break with Kendrick Perry at his best, turning the score around and forcing a timeout from Txus Vidorreta (54-50, min. 25). Tenerife improved as the minutes passed, and accuracy from three-point range by Wesley Van Beck – also absent in the semifinal – allowed them to swing the game again (56-60, min. 28). Errors piled up for both teams toward the end of the third quarter, resulting in a 60-62 scoreline.
Unicaja started the final 10 minutes better, with a deep three-pointer from Killian Tillie and another from the corner by Chase Audige to level the score (70-70). Ibon Navarro, this Saturday in Badalona / FIBA
The tight contest continued, and a free throw from Balcerowski put Unicaja ahead with two minutes left, with everything still to be decided (78-77). The Málaga side seized the opportunity and did not allow their rivals to regain the lead. In the end, the Andalusians won 85-80 to take the bronze medal in this Champions League.