Valencia Basket wins second ACB title, defeating Barcelona 3-1 in finals as Montero shines

Valencia's second league crown

Valencia Basket became Spanish champion for the second time in its history, nine years after its first ACB title in 2017. The team, coached by Pedro Martínez, repeated the feat he achieved then, now defeating Barcelona in four games. The decisive fourth match saw Valencia overpower the hosts, leading by as many as 27 points during the second half and never letting Barcelona back into the series.

Game 4 dominance

Barcelona opened with a strong first quarter from Kevin Punter, who scored 12 of his 27 points early. However, Valencia's depth proved overwhelming. Guard Álvaro Cárdenas sparked a second-quarter surge with back-to-back three-pointers, and a five-point burst gave the visitors a comfortable cushion at halftime. Jean Montero then connected on three triples early in the third period, stretching the lead to 18 points (44-62) and effectively breaking Barcelona's resistance.

Montero named MVP

Dominican guard Jean Montero earned Most Valuable Player honours for the finals, scoring 23 points in the clinching game after a 29-point outburst in game three. His aggressive drives, timely shooting, and defiance in the face of Barcelona's box-and-one defensive tactics defined the series. Kameron Taylor, Johnathan Moore (19 points), and Matt Costello also contributed to a balanced attack, with nine Valencia players scoring in the first quarter alone.

End of an era in Barcelona

The defeat extends Barcelona's trophy drought to a third consecutive season. Since the club chose not to renew Šarūnas Jasikevičius three years ago, no coach (Roger Grimau, Joan Peñarroya, or Xavi Pascual) has delivered a title. Pascual, who departs for Dubai, saw his tenure end quietly, while veteran center Jan Vesely played his final professional game. Reports describe a roster that is aging, poorly constructed, and no longer built to contend.

A historic season for Valencia

Beyond the league title, Valencia Basket's campaign included winning the Supercopa de España, reaching the Copa del Rey semifinals (where a late Hezonja miracle eliminated them), and debuting in the Euroleague Final Four in Athens. The 'taronja' squad maintained a fast-paced, collective identity throughout more than 90 matches, earning praise as one of Europe's most aesthetically pleasing teams.