Valencia, 7-0 takes solo lead in Liga Endesa
The impressive 2015-16 campaign of Valencia Basket continues to progress and remains the team to beat in the Spanish Liga Endesa. The club is now 7-0 and has secured the solo league leadership, being the last undefeated team in the ACB. In Round 7 action, Valencia thrilled their fans at home by rolling over visiting Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian, 92-65. Another reason that Valencia has attained the pole position in the league is due to the tough overtime loss sustained by FC Barcelona at the hands of Laboral Kutxa Vitoria, 87-79. Barca was previously undefeated as well, but the bitter pill of defeat may serve to teach them some vital lessons for the future. The Baskonian club’s well deserved victory has propelled them to second place in the league standings. Three teams now share identical 6-1 records. They are Laboral Kutxa, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid. FIATC Joventut and Gran Canaria 2014 are not too far behind with their 5-2 slates.
Valencia vs. Gipuzkoa, 92-65
This was an easy game for the orange shirts, especially in their home court. Gipuzkoa has been struggling so far this season and has yet to find a win in seven games. They’re currently the weakest team in the league and the outcome came as no surprise. Valencia jumped to a hot start and establishing an early double-digit advantage, 27-16 at the end of the first quarter.
They simply ran away with the game from there and Gipuzkoa looked helpless to stop Valencia’s display of bold offensive execution. The hosts had a clear and decisive advantage in the assists department, 26 to Gipuzkoa’s 15. Solid team play by Valencia outmatched a 20-point explosion by Gipuzkoa’s Txemi Urtasun. Gipuzkoa’s reserves were not up to par and were overwhelmed from start to finish.
Guillem Vives led four other Valencia players to score in double figures with 15 points. Justin Hamilton and Jordi Trias each added 13 points.
Which team will be the first to and Valencia its first loss for the season? Time will tell. They should expect to be challenged by their next opponent, Gran Canaria 2014.
Laboral Kutxa vs. FC Barcelona, 87-79 (OT)
Despite the disappointment experienced by Barca fans, the win was well deserved and hard fought by both teams. The score was tight from quarter to quarter. No team was able to secure a sizable lead. It was Baskonia that managed to pull away in the extra period. Darius Adams came up with an excellent night with a 24-point game. He knocked down four of his team’s shots from downtown and was the main catalyst of their offense throughout the game. Fabien Causeur had a solid game as well with 16 points and five assists to his name.
Barcelona’s top performer was Stratos Perperoglou who put up 20 points. Ante Tomic added 14 points and seven boards.
Barca will need to make some adjustments especially in their ability to close out tight games such as this one. Expect them to bounce back in their next game which will be against Fuenlabrada (3-4).