The U-18 spanish championship final round started yesterday in Lanzarote (Canary Islands) with four games, one of each group, and the best opener performances from brazilian prospects. Asefa Estudiantes had an easy job in this first day. The team of Madrid beat Estudiantes de Lugo (77-53) due to the MVP of all the contests. 2.10 Brazilian Lucas Riva ('92) -at the pic- collected a 34 valoration with 12 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. Jaime Fernández ('93), MVP of the last U-16 EC leading Spain to the gold medal, also made a good job with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Youngster Placide Nakidjim ('94) finished as the best of Lugo squad: 16 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals.
Unicaja Malaga (last week was in Paris for the NIJT) started the tournament also with a victory: 62-60 against DKV Joventut. Another brazilian shined over the rest. Rafa Freire ('92) led the winners with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals for a 32 valoration. With Miki Servera ('92) injured for Malaga and Pau Margui ('93) k.o. for Badalona, both teams played a very tied game. At Unicaja also shined Malick Fall ('92) with 10 points and 11 boards, while the best of catalans was montenegrin Marko Todorovic ('92): 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals. Joan Tomas ('92) collected also a double-double for DKV with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
In another game of this first day FC Barcelona crashed Cajasol Sevilla (64-43). Michel Acosta ('92) nailed 10 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the winners, while his teammate Joan Creus ('92) scored 16 with 6/11 FG. Horrible stats at Sevilla side, with Pablo Villarejo ('92) and Pape Amadou Sow ('93) pouring 10 points each. The spaniard struggled shooting (3/14 FG), while the senegalese made 7 turnovers, even he grabbed 7 boards and put 3 blocks.
Finally European College Majadahonda beat Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (83-87). 2.06 african Mansour Kasse ('92) was unstoppable, leading his team to the win with 23 points (8/11 FG) and 9 rebounds, helped by Tomas Fernandez ('92) with 12 and 3 steals and latvian Aigars Skele ('92), who added 17 with 7/12 twos. For Valladolid guard Alvaro Martínez ('92) finished as their best scorer with 22 and 4/8 from downtown, while forward David Viruega ('92) collected a 27 valoration with 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Standings:
-Group A: FC Barcelona (1-0), Cajasol (0-1) and Valencia (0-0).
-Group B: Unicaja (1-0), DKV Joventut (0-1) and Easo (0-0).
-Group C: Majadahonda (1-0), Valladolid (0-1) and Gran Canaria (0-0).
-Group D: Asefa Estudiantes (1-0), Estudiantes Lugo (0-1) and Unelco Tenerife (0-0).
Photo: CB Estudiantes (Riva, between two FC Barcelona players in the NIJT)
