Valencia Basket needed 20 minutes to find their rhythm in Burgos. Once they did, they turned around a game that Recoletas Salud San Pablo Burgos had dominated with authority, powered by Chase Audige's accuracy and a packed Coliseum with over 9,000 spectators. Xavier Albert's team won the second half by 18 points and recorded their third consecutive victory across Liga Endesa and EuroLeague play. The hosts, meanwhile, remain in the lower standings at 2-5.
Audige and Lobaco dominate the first half
Audige was a force from the opening possession. Valencia, with Shorts and Kameron Taylor, took an early 0-7 lead that forced Fisac to call timeout, but San Pablo Burgos responded with an 11-2 run to close the first quarter ahead (27-22). Sekou Doumbouya controlled the glass and, in the second quarter, two three-pointers from Raúl Lobaco helped open up the home team's lead (38-24). At halftime, Burgos led 52-38, having made 12 of 12 free throws in the game.
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A 30-point third quarter
Valencia returned from halftime with a different look. Dylan Osetkowski and Neal Sako led a 30-point third quarter, with strong three-point shooting and contributions from Armoni Brooks, who continues his hot streak following his performance in Milan. Burgos held on through Doumbouya, DJ Steward, and Chris Sengfelder, but the third quarter ended with just a one-point difference (72-71).
Spanish players decide it
In the fourth quarter, Valencia found the answer through their Spanish players. Gonzalo Corbalán and Josep Puerto gave the orange team their first lead of the game (72-76). Audige and Lobaco answered back, but then Mario Saint-Supéry and Álvaro Cárdenas extended the lead again, and Osetkowski and Taylor pushed it to eight points (85-93). Burgos had no response.
Osetkowski and Brooks finished with 15 points each and Shorts posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, with a rating of 22. Valencia committed just eight turnovers. Audige finished with 26 points and 6 three-pointers, and Retin Obasohan, in his first league game of the season, distributed 7 assists.