By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia beat Barcelona 78 – 72 on the road in the game that concluded Round 31 of the Spanish ACB League. The “Taronja” improved to 21 – 10 and further established their hold at the fourth spot in the standings.
With the score 67 – 66 and three minutes remaining, Valencia made what was proven to be a decisive run towards getting the victory. First, Will Thomas registered a four-point play courtesy of a triple and a free throw and Fernando San Emeterio scored 2/2 from the line to put his team up 67 – 72 with 1:39 remaining.
Thomas Heurtel (18 points, six assists) tried to keep Barcelona close but Bojan Dubljevic and Joan Sastre hit back-to-back buckets to preserve Valencia’s advantage. Thomas made it a two-possession distance, 72 – 78 with 30 seconds left to play.
Dubljevic posted a game-high 21 PIR after finishing with 14 points and five rebounds. San Emeterio added 13 points and five boards for the winning side.
Pierre Oriola contributed 11 points and five rebounds to Barcelona. Jaka Blazic had 10 points and four rebounds.
Valencia’s win allowed Real Madrid to become the sole holder of the top position in the Spanish League standings with a 25-6. The defending champions had prevailed over Estudiantes on Thursday (9/5).
Barcelona, on the other hand, dropped to 24 – 7 and the third place. Baskonia has the same record after beating San Sebastian on the road behind Shavon Shields’ ACB season high and also the tie-breaker over the Catalans.
Liga Endesa Round 31 Results:
Zaragoza – San Pablo Burgos 89 – 81
Obradoiro – Gran Canaria 82 – 96
Unicaja Malaga – Fuenlabrada 89 – 84
Joventut Badalona – Murcia 86 – 64
Real Madrid – Estudiantes 109 – 92
Breogan – Iberostar Tenerife – 84 – 85
San Sebastian – Baskonia 77 -87
Manresa – Andorra 64 – 77
Barcelona – Valencia 72 – 78