By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Retaining a double-digit advantage through the second half, FC Barcelona topped Valencia, 100-86, in La Fonteta on Sunday.
Leading six players in double-digits for Round 20 of the 2024-25 Liga Endesa Regular Season, Kevin Punter put in 17 points as Barca improved to 11-9. Chimezie Metu followed with 16 points. A game-high 19 points belonged to Chris Jones with the Taronges falling to 14-6, two games away from the leader of Spain’s top-tier division Real Madrid.
Stefan Jovic was a late scratch due to a back issue, joining Sergio De Larrea, Ethan Happ, and Jean Montero on the sidelines for the team coached by Pedro Martinez. On the opposite end, Justin Anderson, Nicolas Laprovittola, and Jan Vesely were ruled out of the Round 20 affair, as expected.
Earlier, Baskonia blew out Coviran Granada, 103-82, and balanced the ACB record at 10-10. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 19 points, while Markus Howard and Trent Forrest followed with 17 points each. In addition to Khalifa Diop, Ognjen Jaramaz was also out.
With the domestic campaign focusing on next week’s 2025 Copa del Rey, the team guided by Pablo Laso is out of the eight-team tournament.
ACB Round 20
BAXI Manresa – Surne Bilbao 89-74
Rio Breogan – Unicaja 81-79
UCAM Murcia – La Laguna Tenerife 77-78
Joventut Badalona – Leyma Coruna 107-104 OT (92-92)
Hiopos Lleida – Real Madrid 84-95
Dreamland Gran Canaria – MoraBanc Andorra 94-106
Girona – Casademont Zaragoza 89-101
Baskonia – Coviran Granada 103-82
Valencia – FC Barcelona 86-100
STANDINGS: Real Madrid 16-4, Unicaja 15-5, La Laguna Tenerife 15-5, Valencia 14-6, Joventut Badalona 13-7…
Photo Credit: ACB