By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Thanks to a superb defensive effort in the second half, Spanish ACB defending champion Valencia beat Gran Canaria 71 – 56 and took a 1-0 lead in the quarterfinals.
After trailing 35 – 36 at break, Valencia forced its opponents to remain scoreless for five minutes into the second half and allowed them just seven points in total during the whole third quarter to gain a 50 – 43 lead heading into the final lap.
Gran Canaria continued failing to connect to the basket, especially from beyond the arc (5/27). Valencia built a 15-point lead, 63 – 48, at the mid of the fourth period and kept the visiting squad at a safe distance.
Sam Van Rossom dropped a game-high 17 points while dishing out four assists. Will Thomas had eight points and six rebounds and Joan Sastre also scored six.
Marcus Eriksson (11 points) and Gal Mekel (10 points) led Gran Canaria scorers.