MADRID, 29 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Real Madrid continued its triumphant march this Sunday by beating Zunder Palencia (91-68) in a seventh round of the Endesa League in which Valencia Basket beat Barça (71-68) to remain the white leader’s top pursuer.
Chus Mateo’s team did not relax against the newly promoted team, after winning the Euroleague Classic during the week, and showed all its strength to chain 14 victories in as many games this season. Edy Tavares (8 points, 13 rebounds and 23 PIR) was the leader’s most outstanding player.
The whites entered with a 30-11 lead that allowed the hosts to be measured and play without pressure at the WiZink Center. The Palencia team, which had just celebrated the first victory in its history in the ACB, soon lost faith in the bell, greatly subdued by the Madrid defense except in a final quarter that was already an exchange.
Mario Hezonja was the top scorer with 16 points, a match well distributed in prominence by Mateo, with the confidence of the streak and, specifically this Sunday, the 52-25 at halftime. One victory behind the leader was Valencia Basket, which beat Barça (71-68) in La Fonteta, in the direct duel of the pursuers.
The ‘taronja’ energy was able to overcome a Barça that did not know how to heal the wounds of a new defeat against Real Madrid, the third in
just over a month. Chris Jones (17 points) was the top scorer in a game controlled by Valencia from the second quarter. The reaction of Roger Grimau’s men did not come to fruition, without Nicolás Laprovittola, whom they missed as in the Classic.
In addition, MoraBanc Andorra beat (85-68) a Baskonia that continues its bad streak, with Joan Peñarroya under scrutiny although the Basque team suffers a serious casualty problem. The Principality’s team equaled its rival’s four wins in the table, the third in a row. Markel Starks (15 points) was the top scorer.
Meanwhile, BAXI Manresa returned to the path of victory by beating Coviran Granada (90-84) in the Nou Congost. The Andalusian team was in tow but fought the comeback until the end, well supported by Taylor (23 rating) and Badio (21) for the locals.
On the other hand, the day left this Sunday an important victory for the confidence of Lenovo Tenerife, in its most complicated start to the campaign in recent years. Those from Txus Vidorreta beat Surne Bilbao Basket in overtime (93-94), with Jaime Fernández as the offensive leader (20 points) and Huertas as the brain.