By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A solid fourth quarter powered Valencia in the 87-79 victory against FC Barcelona on Sunday.
Cuban center Jasiel Rivero fired in nine of his 18 points in the fourth period. He also pulled down seven rebounds in the back-and-forth ACB Regular Season Round 10 contest. His side outscored Barca, 24-16, in the last ten minutes to earn the big win on the road.
Xabier Lopez-Arostegui logged 17 points and captain Bojan Dubljevic added 15 points. On the losing end, Nikola Mirotic ended up with 22 points. Cory Higgins and Alex Abrines remained on the injury list.
Barca dropping its undefeated record generated a tie with Real Madrid on top of the Spanish League standings. Both teams are 9-1. Trailing AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano, they are also knotted together in second place of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague at 7-2 heading to the next double-game week of the 2021-22 Regular Season.
The team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius will take on CSKA Moscow at home and visit LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Wednesday and Friday, respectively. Pablo Laso’s side will be at Villeurbanne on Tuesday and back to Spain’s capital to face Crvena Zvezda mts on Thursday.
Red-hot Bruno Fitipaldo combined 22 points with six assists leading Lenovo Tenerife past Coosur Real Betis, 81-72. His side improving to 7-3 tied Gran Canaria in third place of the ACB table.
Sunday results:
Surne Bilbao – Monbus Obradoiro 80-76
Urbas Fuenlabrada – Real Madrid 85-88
Coosur Real Betis – Lenovo Tenerife 72-81
FC Barcelona – Valencia 79-87
Baxi Manresa – Rio Breogan 86-75
Photo Credit: EuroCup