The 15-31 score in the final quarter speaks for itself and clearly shows what happened during the closing stages of the game. However, it should be noted that the officials played a part in Valencia Basket's emphatic win, with several controversial decisions consistently going the Valencians' way.
The referees influenced most of the final quarter. Photo: ACB Photo/Esther Casas
Jaworski produced a high-level performance, scoring 22 points, while Olaseni was a colossus in the paint with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a well-deserved double-double. However, their efforts were not enough in the game.
THE GAME
Gonzalo García de Vitoria opted to face the reigning league champions with the following starting five: Trae Bell-Haynes, Justin Jaworski, Miguel González, Roberts Blumbergs and Gabriel Olaseni.
The game began with a very disciplined Casademont Zaragoza side on both defense and offense, while three-pointers from Justin Jaworski and Miguel González gave García de Vitoria's team a seven-point lead. The advantage even reached nine points at 19-10, a very strong start by the Aragonese side against Xavi Albert's team.
Olaseni produced a great performance with a double-double. Photo: ACB Photo/Esther Casas
But the orange-clad side was not going to fall behind, and a 0-6 run in little more than 30 seconds brought them within three points. The absences of Guillem Vives after he picked up two fouls and Bell-Haynes, who was resting, were felt too much on the court, and the first quarter ended 22-21, with the feeling that Casademont had not made full use of its strong start.
Both teams suffered a notable offensive lapse during the first five minutes. Free throws allowed Casademont Zaragoza to remain in front, with the lead even reaching seven points after a superb three-pointer by Guillem Vives. However, some poor defense in the closing stages meant the teams went into halftime with the score at 39-36.
SECOND HALF
Xavi Albert's team leveled the game within a few minutes of the second half starting, and the sides traded blows from end to end. But the Reds moved three points ahead after a superb dunk by Brussino sent the Príncipe Felipe crowd into raptures. The boost from the stands was reflected in the play of Jaworski, who was in a trance after scoring nine points in the quarter, but Josep Puerto responded from the perimeter to send the game into the final 10 minutes with Valencia leading 67-66.
The Reds' offensive blockage was complete, with free throws their only way of adding points, while the orange-clad side was enjoying a hot streak and extended its lead to eight points at 71-79. That forced García de Vitoria to call a timeout to reorganize his team with just over five minutes remaining.
The momentum did not improve after the Bilbao coach's talk, and Shorts and Puerto were tearing the defense apart as Valencia built a lead of up to 15 points. The refereeing was also more than questionable in favor of the orange-clad side. The game had broken open in every respect, and Valencia ultimately won a closely contested matchup that was decided in the final quarter by the greater quality of Xavi Albert's team and the decisions of the officiating crew.
GAME DETAILS
Casademont Zaragoza (82): Trae Bell-Haynes (5), Justin Jaworski (22), Miguel González (6), Roberts Blumbergs (4) and Gabriel Olaseni (12) -starting five- Caleb Homesley (9), Matija Lukic (-), Nico Brussino (9), Jaime Fernández (1), Laurynas Birutis (5), Guille Vives (9) and Sergi García (-).
Valencia Basket (97): Mario Saint-Supery (6), TJ Shorts (21), Kameron Taylor (9), Nikola Mirotic (17), Neal Sako (4) -starting five- Josep Puerto (16), Reuvers (5), Cárdenas (9), Brooks (4), Gueye (-), Corbalán (5) and Rivero (1).
Quarter scores: 22-21/17-15/28-30/15-31.
Officials: Carlos Cortés, Esperanza Mendoza and Raúl Zamorano.
Venue: ACB Round 2 game played at the Príncipe Felipe Pavilion in Zaragoza.
