Valencia Basket couldn’t beat Baxi Manresa at the Nou Congost, against whom they fell 87-82 and loses a golden opportunity to leave eighth place in the Endesa League almost sentenced and even to get closer to seventh and sixth position after the defeats of Joventut and Gran Canaria. However, the Taronja did not take advantage of the setbacks of their predecessors in the table and fell to Manresa in the middle of the fight for permanence. Valencia Basket retains eighth place and therefore the provisional qualification for the playoffs but sees how its immediate rival, UCAM Murcia, is dangerously close, which is only one victory away and with the basket average in favor of the Taronja.
Baxi Manresa imposed its rhythm and greater offensive efficiency to make the first differences (10-5). Pedro Martínez moved the bench with numerous changes that baffled the Taronja defense. Little by little, Valencia Basket was establishing itself in the game, with a greater defensive tone, they captured balls that allowed them to get closer to 22-18. Hermannsson, with a triple, left the difference to a minimum (22-21 m and Evans, completed the comeback in the last action of the first quarter (22-23) a partial of 0-10.
Evans, who was still on a roll, converted a triple but it was of little use as the Catalans turned the score around again and took the lead.
The lack of forcefulness in defensive rebounding gave Baxi Manresa second and third chances that prevented Valencia Basket from closing the gap. The rest was reached with 8 difference for the locals (44-36).
The third quarter began in the best way, with a triple by Dubljevic that cut the gap (44-39) but Baxi reacted and took control again, stretching the score. Mumbrú bet on the inside game with Webb, Pradilla and Kyle Alexander and achieved better control of the rebound both offensively and defensively. Evans reappeared in attack scoring two consecutive baskets but did not prevent Baxi from escaping (63-52). Mumbrú asked for time. Puerto intervened with a proverbial triple but the locals closed the third quarter with a ten point lead (67-57). Valencia Basket was forced to come back and Manresa came out ready to defend their income. Those of Mumbrú pressed in defense and cut differences with a partial of 2-8. (73-67) with 6 minutes to go and came within 3 points (85-82) with 4 seconds to go but the win stayed in Manresa.
2023-05-08 02:00:25
#Valencia #misses #golden #opportunity
