Los de Mumbrú fall to Fenerbahce despite shining in the first half
MADRID, 20 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Valencia Basket once again left a good image in the Euroleague but suffered its third defeat in four days, falling (79-77) this Thursday against Fenerbahce in a match that dominated in the first half and that knew how to fight despite the comeback of the leader (4-0).
Álex Mumbrú’s team came close to the double in Istanbul after storming the field of champion Anadolu Efes on Tuesday. In the Turkish capital he premiered his locker of victories Valencia and from there he left showing that he knows how to compete with the best.
The ‘taronja’ team gave themselves up to match the physique and the rebound that Dimitrios Itoudis’ team is supposed to have and was very successful in the first half to have the locals on the ropes (28-40, two from the break). Wilbekin’s (20 points) was the equation that the Spanish team could not solve and their choral play made up for it, although they lacked a matador.
The intensity of Puerto, the defense of López-Arostegi, the quality of Jones, the leadership of Dubljevic and the good work of Alexander on both sides of the court continued the good start, very lively with outside shooting and defending. Motley tried to mark territory, but Valencia was comfortable on the outside.
After the break, Fenerbahce, who had gone 3-for-16 from three-pointers, changed their streak and began to connect good attacks with former Barça players Calathes and Hayes-Davis. A 26-15 in the third quarter changed the scenario, but Valencia knew how to suffer and compete. The inertia, however, was already from the Turks, in income that Valencia did not save despite seeking the released release.
The game escaped him in the last five minutes (71-64), when Dubljevic’s attacks did not work. A triple by Guduric was celebrated by the Ulker Sports and Event Hall as a victory, but between fouls by Calathes and a turnover by Wilbekin, Mumbrú’s team fought it out until López-Arostegi tried to win the game from midfield.
–RESULT: FENERBAHCE, 79 – VALENCIA BASKET, 77. (34-43, at halftime).
FENERBAHCE: Calathes (8), Wilbekin (20), Pierre (2), Hayes-Davis (17) and Motley (16) — the starting quintet– Edwards (2), Guduric (10), Booker (2), Jekiri (2), Birsen (-), Hazer (-).
VALENCIA BASKET: Jones (16), Prepelic (4), Puerto (7), Claver (7) and Dubljevic (13) — starting quintet — Van Rossom (10), López-Arostegi (5), Pradilla (3) , Alexander (5), Harper (5), Radebaugh (2).
–REFEREES: Lottermoser, Racys and Nedovic. Without eliminated.
–PAVIL: Ulker Sports and Event Hall.
