Taronja solidity to dominate UCAM Murcia from start to finish (110–84)

Valencia Basket returned to the Roig Arena in the Liga Endesa with a solid 110–84 victory over UCAM Murcia in a game they controlled from start to finish. A 19–2 opening run set the tone, and the team managed the visitors’ attempts to respond before blowing the game open in the third quarter, building a lead that reached thirty points. It was a win with double value, as it came in a clash near the top of the Liga Endesa standings, reinforcing the orange side in second place and also allowing them to secure the head-to-head basket average against the Murcian team.

Valencia Basket took control early thanks to their accuracy from three-point range, making their first five attempts to produce the 19–2 opening run that kept them ahead even when the university side found their offensive rhythm in the second half of the first quarter. Although the visitors trimmed the deficit slightly, first Montero’s points and then De Larrea’s contained De Julius’s offensive surge, allowing Valencia Basket to go into halftime with a 16-point lead.

The Murcian team surprised with a favorable run at the start of the third quarter to cut the gap to ten, but Jean Montero ignited the offense, fueled by several three-point plays—through and-one baskets, three-pointers, and fouls on three-point shots—to stretch the advantage to around thirty with ten minutes left to play.

Cacok led the visitors’ attempt to respond in the battle for the basket average during a heated start to the final quarter, when UCAM Murcia slowed Valencia’s attack and reduced the deficit slightly. However, Valencia Basket regained their composure, rediscovered their rhythm, and protected their lead.

Post-game quotes: Pedro Martínez

“I’m very happy with the mentality the team showed. We played with very good concentration and also with a lot of defensive discipline, working hard and starting the game very well in the basic aspects of play. We were very good, showing a lot of respect, that’s always an objective for us against any opponent but today it was a little easier because Murcia, besides beating us in the first half of the season, are in third place. They were a very direct rival for our objectives in the Liga ACB. If they had beaten us, they would have moved ahead of us, and they would also have had the head-to-head advantage.

We were very focused, very serious and worked hard, running the floor very well. They had a lot of problems defending us in the first seconds of the possession. We struggled a little with rebounding, and that’s something we hope to improve — to be a bit more solid on the defensive rebound, because it’s a very important aspect of the game.

It was a good game, with all the players contributing. Kameron Taylor’s absence wasn’t noticeable, although we are a bit worried because he isn’t recovering well from the ankle sprain he suffered in the Copa del Rey. He pushed himself the other day, but the following day he was in very bad shape, so we’ll see how his recovery progresses.”