By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net
Valencia Basket has earned a reward for a great year. After missing out on the final of “their” Copa del Rey and falling in the semifinals of the Final Four, Pedro Martínez’s team has closed the season with the big national title.
The “taronja” have taken the Liga Endesa after defeating Barça 3-1 in the grand final, a score that came with a convincing 84-108 win in the fourth and decisive game.
Kevin Punter, with 26 points, was the top scorer of the match, but his performance was not enough to counter the star trio of the visitors. Jean Montero (23 points), Braxton Key (12 points), and Kameron Taylor (21 points) shone for Valencia Basket’s great victory.
The main protagonist at the start of the game was Kevin Punter, who shone brightly and was vital in preventing the home team’s start from being even worse. The visitors dominated the pace and accepted the offensive duel with Barça, closing the first quarter at 23-26.
As the minutes passed, things did not go well for Barça, who saw their second unit failing to contribute. Brizuela was erratic, Willy Hernangómez lacked confidence and was once again mistreated by the Palau, Lapro was too intermittent… It was the opposite for Valencia Basket, who seized the opportunity to continue hurting with their electric play.
Starting the second half at 35-47 was not enough for the “taronja,” who rubbed more salt in the wound with a 44-62 lead, with Montero in full swing. But in Barça, there was another player eager for action today. Punter hit some trademark triples to bring Barça closer on the scoreboard (63-71)… before the visitors struck again. Braxton Key joined Montero and Kam Taylor’s party to leave the victory well on track for the visitors with a 64-82 lead to end the third quarter.
With the scoreboard urgency, Barça tried to drive the game crazy in the last ten minutes, a risky option that only served for Valencia to achieve the largest lead of the game with a 67-88. With everything already decided, the game turned into a tribute for the many Barça players who might not remain with the team next year. Lapro was the first, with an ovation that sounded like a farewell, followed by Satoransky and Vesely, who couldn’t hold back tears.
Liga Endesa Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Real Madrid 1 – 2 La Laguna Tenerife (97-98), (83-118), (95-107)
- Valencia Basket 2 – 0 Surne Bilbao (83-80), (71-88)
- Kosner Baskonia 1 – 2 Asisa Joventut (85-71), (63-82), (88-96)
- UCAM Murcia 1 – 2 Barça (68-91), (87-90), (76-100)
Semifinals
- Barça 3 – 0 La Laguna Tenerife (100-67, 97-89, 85-76)
- Valencia Basket 2 – 0 Asisa Joventut (118-117, 90-76)
Finals
- Valencia Basket 3–1 Barça (112-113, 102-75, 88-80, 108-84)
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