Valencia pulls out a vital victory to defend the ‘Top 8’ against a jinxed Panathinaikos
MADRID, 10 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A triple on the horn by Chris Jones gave Valencia Basket the victory (91-92) this Friday in matchday 24 of the Euroleague over Panathinaikos, also leader of the reaction that kept the ‘taronja’ team standing despite a game spotty on the OAKA.
Álex Mumbrú’s team did not have their best day but saved a key victory to continue within the ‘playoffs’ zone with 13 victories. With the tightness of the table, each victory is worth gold and, after losing the last one by the minimum against Maccabi, they avoided the hole thanks to Jones (24 points, 33 PIR).
The ‘taronja’ game director is once again the best weapon for a Valencia that neglected the rebound and gave wings to a Panathinaikos that, in the middle of a disastrous season, believed in their chances of bringing joy to their fans. The local destruction over those from Mumbrú was commanded by Gudaitis (23 points) and Lee (25).
Valencia had a hard time equalizing the battle under the hoops and getting their batteries on defense, something they didn’t do until the second half. Jones, Webb and Alexander were the visitor’s support in the first half: a 49-42 always in tow. Mumbrú’s men had room for improvement and, between one part and the other, they managed to take the lead for the first time after the restart (52-53).
With the problem of fouls on Claver, Alexander and then a Rivero eliminated in the last quarter, Valencia navigated the troubled waters of OAKA as best they could. Claver’s success was key, as was Harper’s irruption and, finally, the leadership of a Jones who once again was the lethal figure he was before his injury.
The American base responded to the command of Gudaitis on the premises, just in time in a final exchange. Panathinaikos did not convict and, with 17 seconds and two down, Valencia gave the last one to a Jones who released his triple knowing that he entered on the buzzer. The ‘taronja’ candidacy came out firmly from Athens.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: PANATHINAIKOS, 91 – VALENCIA BASKET, 92. (49-42, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
PANATHINAIKOS: Lee (25), Bacon (10), G. Kalaitzakis (5), Williams (8) y Gudaitis (23) –quintet initial– Grigonis (5), Thomas (13), Agravanis (-), Bochoridis (-), Mantzoukas (2).
VALENCIA BASKET: Jones (24), Radebaugh (2), Claver (13), Webb III (6) and Alexander (16) –starting five–; Harper (6), Puerto (-), Pradilla (9), Evans (3), Rivero (7), Prepelic (2), López-Arostegi (4).
–PARTIALS: 26-21, 23-21, 19-27, 23-23.
–REFEREES: Vilius, Petek and Bissang. Eliminated Rivero for fouls.