BARCELONA, 4 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia Basket hosts Barça this Saturday at La Fonteta in a match that was postponed on its day of matchday 18 of the Endesa League, an update for two teams that continue to look high and measure their respective good times, on a Saturday with three matches of three different days.
The ‘taronja’ lost their last game in the Endesa League at Río Breogán’s home (99-82), true, but the good game shown in the away win against Real Madrid (93-94) should mark the way for the of Joan Peñarroya, who arrive fresh at this appointment with Barça.
Those two duels were in the first half of February, so Valencia Basket can pay for its inactivity in the domestic competition, with the last match on February 18 in the failed Cup. Although on the good side is being able to take the match to a physical battle against a Barça that played on Thursday in the Euroleague.
The Blaugranas beat AS Monaco at the Palau Blaugrana (88-83) in a trick game, which they overcame, against a relief team. And, in the Endesa League, they haven’t played since the beginning of February with a victory over Obradoiro (83-67). In between, yes, the victory in the Copa del Rey.
Finally ‘taronja’ and ‘culers’ catch up. They will still have pending duels, but this direct battle between a Valencia Basket that is fourth and a Barça that is second in the table promises. First of all, emotions and equality.
Against Barça, Joan Peñarroya will not be able to count on Sam Van Rossom – injured with Belgium, with a muscle tear in the hamstring of his left leg -. Also, Martin Hermannsson is doubtful. On the Blaugrana side, Cory Higgins and Pierre Oriola will be absent.
Also this Saturday Unicaja and UCAM Murcia play in the only match of the present Matchday 23 that is brought forward to Sunday. Those from Malaga are right now two victories away from a UCAM Murcia that keeps the eighth position of access to the fight for the title. But Unicaja is not as close as it seems since the Murcians have more games pending.
The main novelty of the team from Malaga will be the presence of power forward Cameron Oliver, who has already joined the dynamics of Ibon Navarro’s team. Jaime Fernández will be absent, who continues his recovery process. By contrast, there are no casualties in UCAM Murcia, which comes from losing in Tenerife in its last duel.
And, coming forward on matchday 24 within the roller coaster that is this Endesa League in terms of schedule, BAXI Manresa hosts Urbas Fuenlabrada at the Nou Congost. The Catalans, third in the table and leaving behind the revelation team label, can settle in the noble zone if they beat a Fuenlabrada that continues to fight, fourth from the bottom, to get away from relegation.
Elias Valtonen, injured in the shoulder with Finland, and Ismael Bako, who still has discomfort in his left hand, will not be in Bages. Obi Emegano, already recovered after missing the last seven games, could return to the Fuenlabrian team, although Osas Ehigiator is still out.