Valencia Dominates Barcelona to Win Second ACB League Title
Valencia Basket claimed their second Spanish ACB league championship by defeating Barcelona in the final series, dominating all four quarters.
Valencia Basket won the Spanish ACB league title for the second time in club history on Sunday, defeating Barcelona 100-85 in the third game of the finals.
Valencia controlled the game from start to finish, winning each quarter. In the second quarter, the visitors went on a 12-0 run, turning a 31:30 lead into a 43:30 advantage. Late in the third quarter, three-pointers by Jean Montero, Braxton Key, and Omari Moore extended the lead from 73:64 to 82:64. Barcelona started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, but a 6-0 run by Valencia extinguished the hosts' hopes of a comeback.
Montero, named the MVP of the playoffs, scored 23 points and drew five fouls. The Dominican guard averaged over 20 points and six assists in nine playoff games. Teammates Cameron Taylor and Omari Moore added 21 and 19 points, respectively. Senegalese center Brancou Badio made only two of nine field goals, but his presence on the court resulted in a +36 plus-minus rating.
For Barcelona, Kevin Panter scored 26 points, making seven of ten three-point attempts. Veteran Tornike Shengelia contributed 15 points and five assists.
Valencia also reached the EuroLeague semifinals this season.
The list of ACB champions now includes Real Madrid with 38 titles, Barcelona with 20, Joventut Badalona with four, Baskonia, Valencia, and Manresa with two each, and Unicaja Málaga with one.
