Xavi Pascual, impressed by Patty Mills' talent after another victory for Barça

The Liga Endesa 2026 is experiencing moments of maximum intensity in its semifinals. Following the tight victory of FC Barcelona over La Laguna Tenerife in Thursday's playoffs, coach Xavi Pascual publicly acknowledged the enormous challenge of containing Patty Mills, the 37-year-old veteran point guard-shooting guard. The Australian delivered a memorable performance that left its mark on the second game of the best-of-five series, scoring 36 points with an efficiency that nearly decided the match in favor of the Canarians.

Pascual did not hold back when appraising Mills' performance. With a touch of humor, the Barça strategist joked about the difficulties of stopping the experienced player. "The only way to stop him is to give him the wrong directions in the arena," said the 53-year-old coach, thus acknowledging the offensive quality of the opponent. Beyond the joke, Pascual delved into the attributes that make Mills a constant threat on the court.

The Catalan coach highlighted the Australian's international trajectory, emphasizing his time in the NBA and his involvement with the Australian national team. "He's an extraordinary player, with an incredible career in the NBA and with the Australian team. He has an innate talent for scoring," explained Pascual. The coach recognized that facing players of this caliber, with experience in top world competitions, demands a specific defensive strategy and absolute concentration throughout the forty minutes of play.

Mills led a remarkable comeback by the Tenerife team during the second game of the series. The Australian point guard hit crucial three-pointers at key moments to level the score, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure situations. However, FC Barcelona managed to counter this momentum and emerged victorious in a game that defined the dynamic of the semifinal series.

Following Mills' masterful 36-point performance, the Catalan team closed the second match with a victory that gave them a 2-0 lead in the series. This result places Barça just one win away from securing their spot in the Liga Endesa 2026 final. The superiority they have displayed so far in the playoffs, with consecutive wins of 100-67 and 97-89, reflects the team's strong performance in crucial moments of the season.

The series travels to Tenerife

Pascual previewed the challenges ahead in the upcoming games of the ACB playoffs. The coach acknowledged that containing players on a hot streak is one of the toughest tasks in modern basketball. "It's hard to stop these players when they're on fire. We have to try to make them not score so easily," the strategist remarked about the former NBA champion, highlighting the need for defensive adjustments in the matches to come.

The third game of the series will take place on Saturday, in a game that could be decisive in determining who advances to the final. Barça will aim to close the series by maintaining their defensive and offensive level, while Tenerife will try to capitalize on Mills' talent to force a return to the Palau Blaugrana with their chances still alive in the competition. Pascual's international experience, his ability to read the game and make tactical adjustments, will be crucial in these final stages of the playoffs.

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