Real Madrid ended as the best team of the XVII U-18 Tenerife Christmas Tournament after beating slovenians of Olimpija Ljubljana in the big final (66-79). Forward Daniel Diez ('93) led the spaniards with 22 points, earning the Final MVP award. Beside him other players made a good job, like youngster Kiko Jiménez ('94), with 16, and Julen Olaizola ('93), with 11. After arriving to the half time only 1 point up (34-35) Real Madrid showed their potential in the last two quarters. For slovenians Djordje Micic ('93) nailed 14, while Luka Rupnik ('93) -at the pic- added 12. Rupnik was named the MVP and also the best scorer of the whole tournament.

 

In the game for the final third position DKV Joventut beat Rising Star Berna easy (70-46). Alex Suarez ('93) and Anton Regal ('93) scored 16 points each for the winners. The U-20 prospect Zoran Zivanovic ('92), the best at the losing effort with 18 points. Lagun Aro Easo finished fifth after crashing hosts of Endesa (83-35). Finally Canarias Basketball Academy beat Heidelberg in the game for the seventh final spot (64-50). Who shined for winners? Slovakian Boris Bojanovsky ('93) nailed 17 points.

 

About the rest of awards Mamadou Dieye ('93), from Endesa, ended as the best rebounder, Dario Brizuela ('94), from Easo, won the dunk contest, and Jan Rizman ('94), from Olimpija, the three points contest.

 

For more details of the tournament you can check the spanish website Frombasket.

 

Photo: Tenerife