Valencia Takes the Lead in Spanish ACB League Finals
Valencia defeated Barcelona 93-83 on the road to take a 2-1 series lead. Jean Montero starred again with 29 points.
In the Spanish ACB League finals, Valencia grabbed a 2-1 series lead by beating Barcelona 93-83 in Game 3, played in Barcelona.
Barcelona had won the opener in overtime (113-112), while Valencia dominated the second game (102-75). In the third matchup, Valencia started slightly quicker, but the hosts soon recovered. The visitors led 40-36 at halftime. After the break, Valencia extended their advantage to 71-53, but Barcelona responded with a stunning 20-2 run to tie the game. However, Valencia's Senegalese guard Brancou Badio hit a three-pointer to spark an 8-0 run, and the visitors never relinquished control. Badio finished with only those three points.
Valencia's star Jean Montero delivered another outstanding performance: in 28 minutes, he scored 29 points (5/8 two-point, 4/6 three-point, 7/7 free throws), dished out six assists, and grabbed five rebounds. He posted a +23 plus-minus and a 37 efficiency rating.
For Barcelona, veteran Georgian forward Tornike Shengelia had 25 points, six rebounds, and drew seven fouls.
The game was attended by Fenerbahçe head coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius, who previously played for Barcelona (2000–2003, 2012–2013) and recently led Fenerbahçe to a second consecutive Turkish league title.
Game 4 will be held in Barcelona in two days. Valencia's only previous Spanish league championship came in 2017, when they defeated Real Madrid 3-1 in the finals.
