Photo: FIBA

When Tenerife signed Kevin Yebo on May 25 to replace the injured Giorgi Shermandini, the club was looking to strengthen its frontcourt ahead of the playoffs.

Less than two weeks later, the German center played an important role in one of the biggest surprises of the Liga Endesa postseason.

Yebo scored 22 points in Tenerife’s 107-95 Game 3 victory over Real Madrid, helping the Canary Islands club secure a place in the semifinals.

Patty Mills led all Tenerife scorers with 29 points, while Marcelinho Huertas added 23 as the visitors completed a 2-1 series win.

Yebo provided an important presence in the paint and gave Tenerife additional scoring options after Shermandini’s injury.

Tenerife became the first team in 18 years to eliminate Real Madrid in the opening round of the Liga Endesa playoffs.