By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Facing elimination from the Liga Endesa Playoffs, Valencia survived a visit to Palacio de Deportes on Wednesday night. A win, 83-72, against UCAM Murcia, tied a best-of-three series at 1-1, setting up a do-or-die Game 3 in La Fonteta on Saturday.
Brigham Young University product Brandon Davies scored nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2, helping his side restore a double-digit cushion. Stefan Jovic matched his best scoring showing across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign with 13 points alongside nine assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Jaime Pradilla added 14 points for the Taronges.
On the losing end of Game 2, former Shippensburg University standout Dustin Sleva recorded a team-high 12 points. Nemanja Radovic and Dylan Ennis followed with ten points each. Failing to punch in a ticket to the Semifinals at home, the team coached by Sito Alonso needs a second away win to progress to the next round.
Injured Marko Todorovic and Simon Birgander were out for the Universitarios. On the opposite end, Nate Reuvers, Boubacar Toure, Kassius Robertson, and Kevin Pangos were unavailable for head coach Xavi Albert.
Top-seeded Unicaja awaits the winner of the Quarterfinals series.
ACB Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
A – Unicaja – BAXI Manresa 2-0 (87-79, 86-63)
B – Valencia – UCAM Murcia 1-1 (86-96, 83-72)
C – Real Madrid – Dreamland Gran Canaria 2-0 (105-70, 73-71)
D – FC Barcelona – Lenovo Tenerife 1-0 (96-86)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Unicaja – Winner B
Real Madrid – Winner D
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals