Gran Canaria has made waves by stunning Valencia Basket with a thrilling 97-94 victory at the Gran Canaria Arena, marking Valencia's third defeat of the season. The match unfolded with both teams showcasing their skills, but it was the home side's explosive second half scoring—tallying 61 points—that claimed the day.
Enhancing the atmosphere, over 7,000 passionate fans created an electric scene as they cheered the home team onto its impressive victory. Gran Canaria, who began the match with slow decision-making and early turnovers, quickly gained momentum. Led by Mike Tobey's remarkable performance, the claret players strategized effectively against Valencia's consistent scoring from Nate Sestina, who netted 27 points and made eight three-pointers during the contest.
Initially, Valencia started strong, establishing their game plan early on. Their ability to execute from the perimeter allowed them to build momentum, highlighted by Sestina's shooting. Despite Gran Canaria's efforts, the visitors gradually pulled away, creating significant gaps on the scoreboard such as their 10-22 lead after executing a 16-0 run.
Pedro Martínez, Valencia's coach, noted the challenges his team faced, especially on defense. After the game, he remarked, "Partido igualado en el que Gran Canaria ha hecho una muy buena segunda parte. Nosotros hemos aguantado como hemos podido... nuestra defensa no ha sido sólida, especialmente en la segunda parte. 35 puntos en el tercer cuarto son demasiados." His reflections reveal concern over defensive lapses, particularly during the third quarter.
Gran Canaria's resurgence came after halftime, as they quickly claimed the lead thanks to contributions from various players. Mike Tobey and Pierre Pelos emerged as instrumental players, uniting the team's offensive and defensive efforts. They capitalized on rebounds and turnovers from Valencia, facilitating their offensive plays.
Each possession was pivotal as both teams traded baskets throughout the second half. Gran Canaria took advantage of the home-court energy and the absence of expected key contributions from Valencia players during crunch time. The team's renewed vigor was evident when Jaka Lakovic's players surged to reclaim dominance on the court.
Quotes from the local media highlighted Gran Canaria's triumph, stating, "Era la última de 2024 y se vivió con pasión de principio a fin con más de 7,000 incondicionales... un triunfo de prestigio en la isla." Meanwhile, Valencia struggled with its free-throw shooting, finishing poorly with just 10 of 20 attempts, which proved costly as the game drew to its conclusion.
With the score seesawing near the end of the game, dramatic moments characterized the final minutes. Valencia's Jean Montero attempted to tie the game with a long three-pointer, but it fell short, allowing Gran Canaria to secure their hard-fought victory.
This loss left Valencia reflecting on what could have been, as they currently sustain their leading position yet now face increased pressure from the chasing pack, including Unicaja poised to catch up. Gran Canaria's performance elevated them to the third spot, boosting their aspirations for the Copa del Rey 2025.
Once again, Valencia Basket encounters difficulties at the Gran Canaria Arena, where they have not won since 2016. The outcome of this match has left Valencia with questions surrounding their strategies and execution on both ends leading up to their upcoming fixtures.
Moving forward, both teams aim to learn from this battle's highs and lows as they navigate the intensity of Liga Endesa competition. Gran Canaria's triumph serves as both celebration and motivator, propelling them higher atop expectations for the early 2025 schedule.
