Dreamland Gran Canaria delivered one of the most thrilling upsets of the Liga ACB season by narrowly defeating the league leaders, Valencia Basket, with a final score of 97-94. The match, held at the Gran Canaria Arena on December 27, 2024, was packed with excitement and key performances from both teams, making it a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts.
The game was marked by intense back-and-forth action, starting with Valencia taking early control. Despite their initial momentum, Gran Canaria gradually shifted the tide toward their favor as the game progressed. American forward Mike Tobey played a pivotal role, contributing 21 points and proving to be instrumental in dismantling Valencia's perimeter offense led by the formidable Nate Sestina, who scored 27 points.
The match exhibited high-caliber basketball as both teams exchanged leads. After a shaky start, Gran Canaria’s energy surged midway through the first, closing the gap from 10-12 with Tobey driving to the rim and the slick passing of point guard Alberto Albicy. Yet, it was Sestina’s long-range shooting, including a couple of almost consecutive three-pointers, which momentarily flipped the momentum back to Valencia as they ended the first quarter leading 24-17.
The second quarter saw Valencia maintaining their lead, highlighted by contributions from players like Badio and Ojeleye. They looked to extend their advantage, hitting hard shots and forcing Gran Canaria to chase the score. Gran Canaria's response featured sharp plays from Caleb Homesley and Kljajic, narrowing Valencia's lead to 36-38 just before halftime.
When play resumed, Gran Canaria came out firing, seizing the lead early with contributions from Tobey and Pelos. The pace of the game intensified, showcasing offense after offense, but it remained tightly contested. The scoreboard reflected tight scores; with every shot, the stakes grew as the game hit the fourth quarter tied at sizable numbers.
With only minutes remaining, Gran Canaria held the upper hand, driven by clutch plays from Pelos and decisive free throws from Kljajic, who sealed the win by making key free throws with 13 seconds left on the clock. Valencia's final desperate three-point attempt from Montero was thwarted, allowing Gran Canaria to clinch the significant victory. This result marks not just any win; it is one which halted the Valencia team, who had been unbeaten until now, raising hopes for Gran Canaria as they eye higher standings and potential playoff ascension.
The same evening, Hiopos Lleida surprised Joventut Badalona, pulling off a 83-78 win and marking their significance gains within the league by moving to 8-5 overall This thrilling encounter ran parallel to Gran Canaria’s, illustrating the fierce competition within the Liga ACB.
Lleida began strong, initially leading and exhibiting resilience with their standout player Hasbrouck leading the charge, but the tide swiftly turned when Joventut’s second unit, spearheaded by Kassius Robertson, responded fiercely. The turning point of the game came as Joventut surged from trailing 10-15 to claiming the lead 35-21 early in the second quarter. The home team took advantage of their scoring runs, showcasing impressive shooting percentages, particularly from Robertson, who led the scoring with 29 points, including 7 of 12 from the three-point line.
Lleida, undeterred by Joventut's onslaught, managed to reduce the deficit, leading back-and-forth play as they fought hard to keep the game within reach. Despite Joventut initially establishing large leads, the visitors' tenacity paid off when they closed the game strongly, bolstered by Dotson and Bozic, who played strong supporting roles. Their ability to withstand the pressure contributed significantly to securing their momentous victory as they aim to cement their place within the coveted top 8 positions needed to qualify for the Copa del Rey.
The games on December 27 exemplify not only the exciting nature of the Liga ACB but also the unpredictable outcomes of each matchup. Every point and every play count as the teams race to secure their standing before the season's climax. With Gran Canaria’s exciting win over the previous leaders Valencia and Lleida’s upset against Joventut, the narrative of the Liga ACB is one of resilience, skill, and determination, setting the stage for the future confrontations of this season.
