Valencia Basket returns to Liga Endesa with a win in Zaragoza (86–98)

Valencia Basket made up its postponed Round 31 game to start a week featuring three ACB games by securing a valuable 86–98 win on the road against Casademont Zaragoza, earning its 23rd win in the Liga Endesa. However, the game was not decided in Valencia’s favor until the final three minutes.

The taronja side overcame its early shooting struggles and contained Olaseni’s strong scoring start by creating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds and capitalizing on moments of inspiration with fast-break baskets, allowing them to build a small lead by the end of the first quarter.

That advantage disappeared when the Aragonese team knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, but Valencia Basket controlled turnovers and found inspiration in Omari Moore to respond to the hosts’ strong second quarter, taking a narrow lead into halftime.

In the second half, the taronja squad struggled to find offensive rhythm but still scored enough to keep the game level. Once they managed to capitalize on solid defensive plays and push the pace in transition, they rebuilt a slight advantage heading into the final quarter.

 Casademont Zaragoza erased that lead in the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter, but Taylor’s offensive contribution stretched it again. Although an unsportsmanlike foul led to a five-point sequence that allowed Zaragoza to cut the deficit to five, Valencia Basket once again turned defense into offense, producing a decisive 0–10 run that sealed the victory and kept alive the taronja side’s hopes of fighting for second place in the standings.

Post-game quotes: Pedro Martínez

“It was a game that, despite winning it, didn’t leave us with very good feelings for many stretches because we struggled to control the defensive rebound. Especially in the first half, they dominated us in that aspect. We have quite a few players dealing with physical issues, and our rotation dynamic can’t be what we would like it to be. Some players are tired, and it’s difficult for us to maintain intensity.

In the end, we were better on the defensive boards in the second half, we ran the floor well, scored a lot of fast-break points, and managed to get the job done.”