Thank you, Fonteta! (70-81)

Valencia Basket said goodbye to La Fonteta, dressed in orange, playing a final with the energy of so many unforgettable nights. With a devoted crowd pushing their team when they were struggling. Celebrating every basket like a buzzer-beating three-pointer. Applauding players who gave their all but couldn't find the accuracy needed to stop the counter from ending at 1,007, following a 70-81 defeat against a Real Madrid side that smothered us in the third quarter and withstood the Taronja comeback attempt to be crowned champions.

The next season will open its doors in the Roig Arena.

Pedro Martínez’s men came out strong, fueled by the energy of the arena, but a poor three-point shooting performance saw them fall behind by as much as ten early in the second quarter. But we gritted our teeth on defense and started chipping away, point by point, until an offensive burst by Xabi sent the game into halftime with Valencia Basket up by one.

 After the break, Real Madrid’s defense shut down the Taronja offense, forcing turnovers and tough shots that wouldn’t fall, building a 0-15 run that gave them a cushion even when Valencia’s offense came alive again, led by Xabi López-Arostegui and the presence of Soriano in the paint. Valencia Basket kept fighting with heart, determined not to bid farewell to La Fonteta just yet, but the experience and poise of Real Madrid’s key players helped them manage the scoreboard and protect their lead until the final buzzer.