By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
The second match of the second “We’re Back” EuroLeague preseason tournament saw the hosts in Valencia Basket hold off Bayern Munich for a 84-76 win.
It was a one-possession game with three minutes remaining (75-74) but the ensuing 9-0 run by the Spaniards sealed the outcome of the match.
Mike Tobey was on fire for Valencia, scoring 17 points on 6-9 shooting including 2-2 from deep. Thirteen of his points came in the first half while Bojan Dubljevic helped him out wth a total of 15 points.
Martin Hermannsson helped with 12 points. For Bayern, Nicholas Weiler-Babb scored 14 in addition to Wade Baldwin and Vladiimir Lucic’s 12 points each.
Valencia was in control early on, being up 24-18 after ten minutes and 44-36 at halftime. However, the second half was full of ups and downs for both sides.
Bayern managed to cut the gap in the third quarter (63-60) but Valencia quickly got back up to 73-63. One would think that it would be an easy sail for Valencia to victory after the run, however, Bayern dissagreed.
The Germans scored eight straight points, pushing the game to a close finish but couldn’t hold on until the end as they crumbled in the last few minutes.
Valencia advanced to the Final where they will clash with ASVEL while the third-place match will be fought by Olympiacos and Bayern.