La Laguna hands Perasovic his first Liga Endesa defeat

La Laguna welcomed Velimir Perasovic by handing him his first defeat in the Liga Endesa: La Laguna Tenerife beat Kosner Baskonia 82-77 after coming under pressure and then turning the game around. Jaka Lakovic’s side completed a hard-fought win in a contest that swung back and forth. The hosts began with the aim of extending their good run of results and performances, and took the initiative in the first quarter. Baskonia stayed close, however, keeping the gap to no more than two or three points during the opening seven minutes.

La Laguna then opened up a lead, going 21-14 ahead with a little over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. The period ended 25-18 in the hosts’ favour. That cushion was quickly threatened in the second. Baskonia cut the margin to one point at 25-24 while keeping La Laguna scoreless in that spell. Lakovic called a timeout to disrupt the visitors’ momentum. Fitipaldo responded with a three-pointer as play resumed, restoring some breathing room at 28-24.

After the break, Perasovic’s team took control. Baskonia dominated the third quarter, turned the score around and put the home side under pressure. La Laguna looked in danger of being unable to recover, but the final period changed the picture. Guy scored five points in its first two minutes, before two three-pointers from Doornekamp brought the teams level at 65-65.

Baskonia tried to re-establish the dominance it had shown in the third quarter, but La Laguna maintained its pace through the final play. Strong defence and outstanding offensive efficiency helped complete the comeback and secure the 82-77 win. Beyond the result, the victory showed Lakovic’s team responding after falling behind and staying in the contest to the end. The game was part of the fourth round of the Liga Endesa and was played at the Pabellón Santiago Martín in front of 4,438 spectators.