Valencia Basket took a giant step towards the Liga Endesa championship by defeating Barça 80-88 in the third game of the final. The team led by Pedro Martínez regained the home court factor and signed a performance of enormous competitive maturity at the Palau Blaugrana.
What happened in the game? The start responded to what was expected in a final. Each possession became a fight and the defenses set the pace from the initial jump.
Valencia Basket opened the scoring with Sako and Montero took advantage of a recovery to place the first visiting advantages. However, Barça reacted quickly with Clyburn and Shengelia, managing to equalize a game that transited for many minutes with minimal differences.
The emergence of De Larrea changes the game The second act completely altered the scenario. The Valencian defense raised its level of aggressiveness and began to generate favorable situations in transition. That's where the figure of Sergio De Larrea emerged.
The young point guard changed the rhythm of the game with personality and daring. Two consecutive three-pointers and a succession of brilliant actions led a spectacular 0-12 partial that turned the scoreboard around and put Valencia Basket with a ten-point lead.
Montero unleashes the storm After the passage through the locker rooms came the moment that seemed to definitively break the game. Taylor initially sustained the visiting lead with several decisive actions on both sides of the court, but it was Jean Montero who took absolute control of the game.
The Dominican signed 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 37 credits of valuation, leading a team that is already starting to caress the dream of the championship. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Points | 29 | | Rebounds | 5 | | Assists | 6 | | Valuation | 37 |