Guillem Vives, Justin Jaworski and Roberts Blumbergs scored in double figures, with the Latvian making a very positive impression on his debut for the Aragonese team. Brussino and Bell-Haynes also played their first minutes of this preseason campaign, completing the rotation in the absence of Bango.
THE GAME
Gonzalo García de Vitoria opted for a starting five of Guillem Vives, Justin Jaworski, Miguel González, Jaime Fernández and Gabriel Olaseni. Trae Bell-Haynes, Nico Brussino and Roberts Blumbergs, who had only joined the preparations this week, started on the bench.
The start was very good offensively, especially from three-point range, with Vives particularly inspired. Blumbergs also made a good impression on his debut, making the most of the space behind his defender to score in the paint, helping the lead grow to ten points. It looked as though the Reds would take that advantage into the second quarter, but Jaworski scored at the buzzer to make it 25-13 after the first ten minutes.
Jaka Lakovic's side increased the intensity on defense and the Aragonese team was unable to score easily, allowing the islanders to cut the deficit to five points. The increased intensity continued to overwhelm Zaragoza, with Birutis being beaten far too easily in the paint, and the teams went into halftime with Tenerife leading 37-36. The nine points scored throughout the second quarter said it all about Gonzalo García de Vitoria's team's dismal offensive performance.
SECOND HALF
Roberts Blumbergs became the Aragonese team's offensive focal point, scoring seven consecutive points to put his side back in front. The inside game was proving to be the solution for breaking down the islanders' defense, which had caused so many problems and prevented the Reds' offense from flowing as it had in the first quarter.
The game remained tightly contested, with both teams responding to every play so that neither could pull away on the scoreboard. But on the final play of the third quarter, Miguel González hit a big three-pointer to put Casademont Zaragoza ahead 62-61 with ten minutes remaining.
Jaime Fernández and Jaworski, who also scored in double figures, delighted the crowd with some excellent baskets to give the Reds a six-point lead with five minutes remaining. With 24 seconds on the clock, the game was tied at 84 and the Reds had possession. Thanks to two free throws from Olaseni and a strong final defensive stand, Casademont Zaragoza secured an 86-84 win in their second preseason friendly.
