Canarias Basketball Academy made the surprise of day 2 at U-18 International Tournament of Tenerife after beating slovenians of Olimpija Ljubljana (52-54). Team coached by Rafa Calvo recovered of the first two losses with a prestige victory led by english guard Ithiel Bilson-Graham ('92), who collected 15 points but finished with a -3 valoration due to a terrific stats card (0/6 twos, 5/16 threes and 0/2 free throws). Its most rated prospect was english forward Shomari Simmonds ('92) with 7 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Slovenian Jan Span ('92), the fifth best passer of last U-18 European Championship, finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Locals of Unelco Cajacanarias also surprised the crowd beating Real Madrid (69-59). African prospects Mamadou Dieye ('93) and Modou Mbaye ('94), with 18 and 12 points, shined in a good level, helped by Pedro Fariña ('92), 19. At hosts side guards Javier Moreno ('92) and Ignacio Molina ('93) finished with 12 points each.
Ciudad de Telde finished the first round with a clear 0-3 after losing yesterday against Real Madrid (78-63) and Lagun Aro (40-69). In the first game against whites center Kilian Moreno ('92) made a good job (17 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals), but not enough to stop a team led again by Daniel Diez ('93), who collected 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals in only 29 minutes. In the second game Lagun Aro Easo won with a great Mikel Motos ('93), who finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals. The spanish prospect was in the same team as Diez that won last U-16 European Championship. For Ciudad de Telde Kilian Moreno ('92) shined again: 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Finally FC Barcelona rolled over San Isidro (73-54) with international Jordi Mas ('92) as best player: 14 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals. For canarian team 2.09 center Diatta Diop ('92) made a good performance with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals.
Standings.
Group A: FC Barcelona (2-0), Olimpija Ljubljana (1-1), San Isidro (1-2) and Canarias Academy (1-2).
Group B: Unelco Cajacanarias (2-0), Real Madrid (2-1), Lagun Aro Guipuzcoa (1-1) and Ciudad de Telde (0-3).
Photo: Unelco Tenerife
