Christian Diaz ('92), from Gran Canaria, sent a clear message to Ricard Casas (spanish NT coach) yesterday in the third day of the U-18 spanish final round championship, held in Lanzarote (Canary Islands). The guard led his team to the second win in the tournament, in this case against European College Majadahonda (63-69). Díaz collected a 26 valoration with 27 points (11/18 FG) and 5 steals in only 25 minutes. Casas, who watched the game on live, will coach spaniards in the EC this summer in Vilnius (Lithuania). At the moment Diaz didn't go to Mannheim and wasn't in the first 16 players roster to prepare the german tournament. We will see what will happen next weeks. For Gran Canaria also shined african prospect By Konate ('93), even he struggled on offense (2/16 FG) fighting against the other africans inside the paint, finishing with 17 boards, 5 steals and 4 blocks. For Majadahonda squad forward Tomas Fernandez ('92) showed his skills (17+6), while latvian Aigars Skele ('92) only appeared in the last quarter: 15 points (6/20 FG), 6 assists and 4 rebounds. The two africans of the team weren't enough either: 2.09 Mansour Kasse ('92), -9 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks- and 2.05 Karl Niamamoukoko ('92), with 13 points, 12 boards and 1 block.
After losing in the opener (against Unicaja) DKV Joventut recovered crashing Easo Lurgoien (90-50). Team coached by Lluís Riera had problems in the beginning. But only in the beginning. The skills of the prospects of catalan team were three or four (or five) steps upper than their opponents. Joan Tomas ('92) finished as the MVP of the game with 16 points (7/11 FG), 10 rebounds and 3 assists for a 26 valoration. He is one of the main weapons of NT. Beside him montenegrin Marko Todorovic ('92) scored easy with 23 points (10/14 FG in only 19 minutes), but many times making coach become crazy with his 9 turnovers and also his attitude ("You should play more for the team" was one of the sentences of Riera to him). For Easo the best prospect by far is guard Mikel Motos ('93), golden boy last summer in Kaunas-, but against DKV he played bad like the rest but showing things: 5 points and 3 rebounds.
In another game of the day Cajasol Sevilla qualifyied for the quarterfinals after beating Valencia (62-53). Pablo Villarejo ('92) struggled again, but appeared at the end scoring important shots: 11 points but 1/8 from downtown. 2.08 center Javier González ('92) finished as the best scorer of the winners with 13 and 5/10 FG. Pape Amadou Sow ('93), best rebounder in Paris at NIJT, spent many minutes in the bench due to a technical foul (6 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 17'). Forward Fernando Gari ('92), the best of Valencia with 16 points and 3 rebounds.
Finally Unelco Tenerife also earned a spot in the next round after beating Estudiantes de Lugo (55-61). The best prospect of Canary Islands team, youngster Modou Mbaye ('94), didn't play like the opener, but finished with 10 points (3/14 FG), 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. His teammate Mamadou Dieye ('93), also african, nailed 21 points (7/14 FG) and pulled down 9 rebounds. For Lugo youngtser 2.07 center Placide Nakidjim ('94) didn't play well, but his physical skills, even he is one of the younger players in Lanzarote, helped him to score 8 points, grab 13 rebounds and put 7 blocks. Brazilian Rafael Caetano ('92) added a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds).
Standings:
-Group A: Barcelona (2-0), Cajasol (1-1) and Valencia (0-2).
-Group B: Unicaja (2-0), DKV Joventut (1-1) and Easo (0-2).
-Group C: Gran Canaria (2-0), Majadahonda (1-1) and Valladolid (0-2).
-Group D: Asefa Estudiantes (2-0), Unelco Tenerife (1-1) and Lugo (0-2).
Quarterfinals:
Cajasol Sevilla - Asefa Estudiantes
FC Barcelona - Unelco Tenerife
Gran Canaria - DKV Joventut
Unicaja Málaga - Majadahonda
Photo: Gran Canaria
