Final comeback doesn't prevent defeat against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv (93-100)

Valencia Basket held onto the bitter end in a game in which they consistently trailed and had theirchances with a strong final comeback, but ended up suffering their first defeatat the Roig Arena, where they couldn't count on the support of their fansagainst Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv, 93-100. The orange team trailed from the startafter a successful start by their opponent and found themselves trailing by asmany as thirteen points in the first half against a solid offensive opponentthat relied on Motley and Bryant. Pedro Martínez's men improved as the firsthalf wore on and took advantage of a successful three-point streak in the finaltwo minutes of the second quarter to trail by two at halftime. In the thirdquarter, Micic took over the offensive baton from an opponent who attacked withpatience and accuracy to once again stretch their lead to fourteen with fiveminutes left. But Valencia Basket found its shooting ability from beyond thearc at that moment, stringing together four shots from behind the arc for a13-0 run that completely reined the orange team into the game. Without the net,the orange team was unable to shoot, and small details like a turnover or amissed free throw prevented them from completing the comeback.

Quotes Pedro Martínez

 “It was a tough game for us. We didn't start well, and that sapped our confidence and left us trailing on the scoreboard. We had a strong finish to the second quarter, where we came into the game with great merit, able to change the dynamic. We have to recognize that they played very well in the third and took a good lead. The team had a great mentality to come back, and we had some very good plays to get back into the game in the last 3-4 minutes, and we missed some shots… but we have to recognize the team's effort and fight throughout the game.”