Valencia Basket dominates Joventut 90-76, seizes 2-0 semifinal lead and moves to brink of Liga Endesa final
Valencia Basket overwhelmed Asisa Joventut 90-76 on Friday in Game 2 of the Liga Endesa semifinals, using a stifling defense and balanced scoring to take a commanding 2-0 series lead and move within one victory of the championship series.
Valencia asserts control early
Valencia came out with high defensive intensity and efficient inside scoring, quickly building a double-digit lead. The hosts led 30-13 after the first quarter behind two early triples from reserve guard Álvaro Cárdenas and relentless work on the boards from center Neal Sako. Sako’s unorthodox but effective interior play dismantled Joventut’s zone defense, which had troubled Valencia in the series opener, while the home team’s perimeter defense limited the damage from deep.
Joventut overwhelmed and fatigued
The visitors, still feeling the effects of a draining overtime loss in Game 1, never found their rhythm. Star point guard Ricky Rubio was contained by the length of Kameron Taylor and Sergio De Larrea, and the supporting cast struggled to generate consistent offense. Jabari Parker provided a bright spot, but the ‘Penya’ trailed 56-43 at halftime and faced a 20-point deficit early in the fourth quarter as Valencia continued to pour it on.
- End of 1st quarter: Valencia leads 30-13 after a dominant opening period.
- Halftime: Valencia extends lead to 56-43, fueled by defense and transition baskets.
- Mid-3rd quarter: Jean Montero’s three-pointer pushes margin to 64-47.
- Final score: 90-76. Valencia takes commanding 2-0 series lead.
Key performers dictate the outcome
Point guard Jean Montero orchestrated the Valencia attack and delivered a key third-quarter triple to make it 64-47, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback. Senegalese shooting guard Brancou Badio was another standout, while Cárdenas and Sako delivered unexpected scoring punches. For Joventut, Parker’s individual effort was undone by an offensive collapse and 12 turnovers; Cameron Hunt and Ludde Hakanson could not get going from beyond the arc.
Series shifts to Badalona
The best-of-five semifinal now moves to the Palau Olímpic in Badalona, where Joventut must win Game 3 on Sunday (20:00 local time) to extend the series. A fourth game, if necessary, would be played on Tuesday in Badalona, with a decisive fifth game back at the Roig Arena in Valencia next Thursday. After two commanding performances, Valencia appears firmly in control with multiple paths to the final, where Barcelona likely awaits.
