By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Rallying past FC Barcelona on the road, Valencia got the job done in a battle of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague participants spilling into Spain’s Liga Endesa Regular Season.
Responding to a 14-point deficit with a 16-0 sprint to finish the third period and narrowly holding on in the fourth quarter resulted in a 79-76 victory in Palau Blaugrana on Sunday. The team coached by Alex Mumbru settled in fifth place on the ACB table at the end of Round 21.
Semi Ojeleye scored a game-high 17 points. Banking in seven points over the last ten minutes, Jaime Pradilla improved his season-high to 15 points. Stefan Jovic added 11 points and seven rebounds. Jared Harper (hamstring), Boubacar Toure (back), and Brandon Davies (left knee) were ruled out by the Taronges.
Seemingly in control early in the second half, Barca instead fell to 14-7. Willy Hernangomez packing 16 points and nine rebounds was not enough. Alex Abrines (groin) and Michael Caicedo (right foot surgery) remained on the injury list of the ACB champions.
Earlier, leading Real Madrid jumped to 18-3 with a home win against Girona.
ACB Round 21
Joventut Badalona – Zunder Palencia 89-77
Casademont Zaragoza – Rio Breogan 63-61
UCAM Murcia – Surne Bilbao 96-76
Unicaja – MoraBanc Andorra 92-86
Real Madrid – Girona 92-79
Lenovo Tenerife – Baskonia 95-78
Monbus Obradoiro – Dreamland Gran Canaria 72-81
FC Barcelona – Valencia 76-79
Coviran Granada – BAXI Manresa 93-94
STANDINGS: Real Madrid 18-3, Unicaja 17-4, FC Barcelona 14-7, Dreamland Gran Canaria 14-7, Valencia 13-8…
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net