San Emeterio reigns in Moscow and approaches the 'playoff'
Valencia Basket starts its Russian tour with a meritorious victory against Khimki
MADRID, Jan. 14 (SportsFinding) –
Valencia Basket on Tuesday signed a brilliant victory at home against Khimki (75-84) on the 19th Euroleague match, a match in which Fernando San Emeterio's effectiveness against the basket and Alberto Abalde's work in the rebound allow Jaume Ponsarnau's box to approach the 'playoff' zone.
The Santander forward, chosen 'MVP' of the clash for his 18 points -2 of 2 in shots of two, 4 of 4 in triples and 2 of 2 from the personnel line- and his 25 valuation points, and the 11 rebounds of the Ferrolano commanded the success of the Valencians in a field where they had never won.
With their ninth triumph of the season in the continental competition, the 'taronja' team became strong in the last six minutes to sign a 2-15 partial and endorse the Russians their fourth straight defeat in Europe. With this, they ascend to the ninth place and remain with the same victories that allow the Red Star to close the privilege positions.
Without its two main tricks in the indoor game, Montenegrin Bojan Dubljevic and the American Mike Tobey, available, the 'taronja' team faced a complicated mission before a team that appeared at the meeting with the same balance (8-10) and aspiring to approach the 'playoff' zone.
Thus, he opted to find the tickle from the line of three, in a fast start and without interruptions. With 7 triples – three from San Emeterio and three from Doornekamp – in 9 attempts, the Valencian team insistently hit an opponent who, despite everything, did not lose his face to the game at the end of the first quarter (23-29).
In fact, the local response did not wait in the second quarter and was led by the top scorer of the Euroleague (21.5 points), Alexey Shved, who dedicated himself to hurting the penetrations to lead, with 10 goals, the Russian attack, supported by a good defense that left Valencia in 15 points to go ahead to changing rooms (47-44).
The exchanges of inspiration dominated in a second half in which everything remained open. Just a few moments after the resumption, Sam Van Rossom managed to put the tie in the light and Maurice Ndour, after a robbery, put Ponsarnau back ahead; a triple of Tailor crowned a good exit with a partial of 2-10 (49-54).
However, those of Rhymes Kurtinaitis began to find easy situations to score, before a particularly soft 'taronja' defense, and thanks to their effectiveness in the defensive rebound they sealed an 11-0 that turned the crash again (62-56 ).
The table 'taronja', with another 0-6 culminated with Quino Colom's basket, balanced the situation again (62-62), and Louis Labeyrie gave a minimal advantage to face the last quarter (62-63). Timma unleashed again the hostilities at the beginning of the final partial, which remained even until the end.
A triple of San Emeterio offered a small advantage (75-78) to the Valencians who seemed to waste with two attacks slowed by steps, but that was when Ndour appeared to score and take the 2 + 1. Abalde, with a sensational last leg, was erected as the match finisher, by capturing an offensive rebound to, shortly after, score a definite triple (75-84).
Next Friday, the 'taronja' will continue with their Russian tour when visiting the St. Petersburg Zenit, while next week they will face the current champion of the competition, the CSKA at the Megasport Arena. Two tough exams for a Valencia who wants to get close to the 'playoff' zone.
DATA SHEET.
– RESULT: KHIMKI, 75 – VALENCIA BASKET, 84 (47-44, at rest).
–EQUIPMENT.
KHIMKI: Jovic (8), Shved (18), Timma (7), Booker (4) and Jerebko (7) – initial quintet–; Karasev (5), Gill (12), Evans (8) and Zaytsev (6).
VALENCIA BASKET: Van Rossom (3), San Emeterio (18), Tailor (10), Doornekamp (13) and Ndour (7) – initial quintet–; Loyd (2), Abalde (9), Colom (4), Labeyrie (11), Marinkovic and Motum (7).
– PARTIALS: 23-29, 24-15, 15-19 and 13-21.
– ARBITRATORS: Javor, Trawicki and Radojkovic. Without eliminated.
– PAVILION: Mytishchi Arena. 2,917 spectators