Unicaja's Yankuba Sima Stars with 21 Points to Secure Copa del Rey Final Spot
Yankuba Sima delivered an outstanding performance on Saturday, leading Unicaja to victory over La Laguna Tenerife with a final score of 90-83, securing their place in the Copa del Rey final. His exceptional play during the semifinal showcased not just his scoring ability but also his overall contribution to the team's defense and rebounding.
The Unicaja head coach, Ibon Navarro, praised Sima and his teammate Alberto Díaz for their pivotal roles during the match. "The players who usually carry the team, like Osetkoswki, Perry, and Carter, underperformed somewhat, but others like Sima, Díaz, and Barreiro stepped up," Navarro remarked during the post-match press conference. "We are very happy with the work of everyone involved," he added, highlighting the importance of teamwork.
Notably, Sima recorded 21 points and 8 rebounds, demonstrating his penetrating presence under the rim. Coach Navarro expressed admiration for Sima’s performance, stating he was "intense on the boards during the first quarter and scored many baskets close to the hoop." Díaz also had a commendable performance, scoring 13 points, including hitting three three-pointers, which were instrumental for Unicaja's momentum.
Jonathan Barreiro contributed to the victory as well, expressing joy over the hard-fought win against what he termed as a "great rival". He acknowledged the challenges of facing La Laguna Tenerife, stating, "The matches against them are always complicated and require you to play for 40 minutes, which is exactly what we wanted." Barreiro underscored the significance of stopping key players from the opposing team like Fran Guerra and Marcelinho Huertas.
Sima’s performance drew considerable attention from fans and media alike. He not only matched his personal best but also had the highest efficiency rating of the game with 24. His performance included connecting on key plays, maintaining control, and exhibiting resilience as the game progressed. Peer recognition was evident as teammate Tyson Pérez commended Sima, calling him "incredible" and highlighting his toughness.
During the match, Unicaja started strong, leading by six points after the first quarter. Sima scored nine of his team’s first eleven points, demonstrating his scoring prowess and setting the tone for the match. Despite the opposition challenging Unicaja's dominance, especially during the second quarter when Tenerife briefly took the lead, Sima's consistent scoring and rebounding kept Unicaja competitive.
After the halftime break, Unicaja shifted gears. Sima continued to excel, scoring 10 points during the third quarter, dominating the paint and frustrating Tenerife's defenders. This period marked the turning point, as Unicaja outscored Tenerife 34-21, establishing a significant lead going back to the end of the game. The key to his and the team’s success, as detailed by Sima, was their defensive strategy and maintaining energy throughout the game.
The final quarter saw Tenerife attempt to claw back, narrowing the margin but never quite regaining the lead, thanks to solid defensive efforts by Unicaja and timely scoring by Díaz and Sima. Even when the match tightened late, Unicaja held their composure, sealing the victory and earning their shot at the title.
Sima shared his thoughts after the game, emphasizing his personal commitment to performing well against Tenerife, stating, "This was a game we really wanted. We've faced Tenerife many times throughout the years, and I took it personally. I'm glad I could help the team win." He also acknowledged the role of his captain, Alberto Díaz, recognizing his impactful plays during the match.
With Unicaja now headed to the final, the anticipation is building. "It’s about resting now and preparing for the final, aiming for our third Copa del Rey title," Sima concluded, indicating the team’s resolve. Their next challenge on Sunday will pit them against another strong competitor, and the team's camaraderie, bolstered by standout performances like Sima’s, will be key to their success.