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jun 22 2026Valencia Basket delivered when it mattered most. The orange squad defeated Barcelona at Palau Blaugrana 80-88 to reclaim home-court advantage in the Liga Endesa Finals, standing just one victory away from lifting the title. Pedro Martínez's team dominated for long stretches, weathered the Blaugrana's comeback attempt, and demonstrated enormous character down the stretch.
Barcelona found itself down 18 points but refused to surrender. Pushed by the Palau crowd, the Blaugrana mounted a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback to tie the game at 73 following a devastating 20-2 run that electrified the Finals. However, just when momentum seemed to have shifted, Valencia Basket found answers once again.
Jean Montero was the standout performer with 29 points and a commanding display of leadership. The point guard carried the team through Valencia's best stretches and emerged as the offensive reference point in an intensely demanding contest. Alongside him, Valencia received crucial contributions from Sergio de Larrea, Brancou Badio, and Kameron Taylor, plus decisive work on the glass.
The game started tense, with sloppy play and suffocating defense. Valencia looked early to Sako near the basket, while Barcelona struggled with shot-making. The entry of Brizuela and Parra energized the hosts, who closed the first quarter ahead following a three-pointer from Satoransky (17-15).
But the second quarter changed the game's complexion. Valencia elevated the pace, punished Barcelona's turnovers, and found outside accuracy with De Larrea to open a significant gap (27-37). Barcelona responded through Laprovittola, Punter, and Clyburn, cutting it to one point, but Valencia regained control before halftime, powered by rebounding and superior consistency.
The heaviest blow came in the third quarter. Barcelona stalled offensively while Valencia converted every turnover into a scoring opportunity. Taylor, De Larrea, and Montero pounded the Barcelona rim, pushing the lead to 18 points (53-71). The third quarter ended at a commanding 57-71, with Valencia projecting complete dominance.
But Finals are never decided early. In the fourth quarter, Barcelona summoned pride, defense, and character. Brizuela led the charge, Shengelia found points near the basket, and the Palau crowd pushed until the game became something entirely different. The 73-73 tie suggested a memorable comeback was brewing.
That's when Valencia Basket's maturity showed. Rather than crumble, the orange squad stemmed the avalanche, tightened the boards, and found a crucial three-pointer from Badio to regain breathing room. From there, the visitors played with composure, punished every Barcelona mistake, and closed out a victory of immense value.
The 80-88 result leaves Valencia Basket one win away from the Liga Endesa title. Barcelona, combative but inconsistent, finds itself against the ropes and forced to respond to extend a Finals series that the orange squad now controls.
