The last day will define the entire Sunday, above and below
MADRID, May 10. (EUROPA PRESS) – Real Madrid lost (99-93) this Friday against Valencia Basket on the penultimate matchday of the Endesa League, leaving the lead in favor of a Unicaja that had beaten Barça (91-92) shortly before in the Palau, while Baskonia clung to its ‘playoff’ option and Coviran Granada and Monbus Obradoiro will play for permanence in the league outcome on Sunday.
La Fonteta experienced a vibrant clash of giants, of ‘taronja’ color, largely due to a tremendous success of three (15 successes out of 20 attempts). Justin Anderson (22 points), Chris Jones (21 and 9 assists) and Semi Ojeleye (18) stood out in the fifth win in six games with Xavi Albert on the bench.
Valencia’s confidence and defense were more powerful than a Madrid that did not know how to match the intensity of the home game. Chus Mateo’s men put in patches since they let the good start slip away, but the triples stopped appearing and they did not impose themselves inside with Tavares or Poirier, where Jaime Pradilla helped the locals a lot.
The equality of the score did not prevent Valencia from growing in the outcome, with Anderson and Jones opening the ‘taronja’ option of being seeded in the ‘playoffs’. Meanwhile, on the last day, Real Madrid will not depend on itself to be first in the regular phase, with the added concern of a possible injury to Gabi Deck, who suffered a spectacular accident with her teammate Yabusele.
The white team did not respond to the challenge of a Unicaja that showed its hunger for leadership in the Palau. Ibon Navarro’s team defeated a Barça team that extended its fateful week of elimination in the Euroleague playoffs. Those from Malaga equaled their best regular season 27 wins, with the option of improving it in the unified final day that takes place on Sunday (6:30 p.m.).
Unicaja went from less to more, with a bad and slow first quarter in defense, but with room for improvement in search of its usual good version. The recent Champions League champion first found Tyson Carter (16 points) and then Augusto Lima, who was fundamental in the outcome. The visiting team’s wardrobe contrasted with that of a Barça team that failed to secure third place.
A block from Ejim to Parker, the best of the locals and who played last, sealed the victory of a Unicaja that will have within reach the leadership and the best campaign in its history against the relegated Zunder Palencia at the Martín Carpena. Meanwhile, Roger Grimau’s men will play in Bilbao with the maximum objective of being third.
On the other hand, Gran Canaria dropped out of the battle for the ‘Top 4’, being seeded in the ‘playoffs’, by falling (78-86) to Bàsquet Girona. The Catalans’ good farewell to the campaign triumphed in Las Palmas with a devastating final quarter from the visitors. The response of Marcos, Martínez, Birch and Susinskas meant the second defeat in a row for the yellows.
Meanwhile, Baskonia clung to playing in the playoffs, for which they need to beat Real Madrid on Sunday and for BAXI Manresa not to do so in Tenerife, by beating UCAM Murcia (94-79). The early injury to Markus Howard brought out the best defensive version of the Basques and a great performance from Marinkovic (29 points and 39 rating) and Costello (27 rating).
On the other hand, in the fight for permanence, Río Breogán ensured its salvation with a 97-92 victory over MoraBanc Andorra, with Robinson as a key player. Thus, the relegation will be on Sunday between a Coviran Granada that depends on itself and Monbus Obradoiro, both victorious on this penultimate day.
The Nasrid team responded to the Galicians’ victory on Thursday by beating Casademont Zaragoza (77-84) at home. Kramer (19 points) and Cheatham (17) led the Andalusians, who will play in Granada against Gran Canaria. Meanwhile, ‘Obra’ will also face Joventut at home.