Barça escaped with a narrow win in Valencia
FC Barcelona seized a dramatic 113-112 overtime victory over Valencia Basket on Thursday night in Game 1 of the Liga Endesa Finals, stealing home-court advantage and taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
The opening game at the Roig Arena delivered one of the most thrilling contests of the season. Valencia appeared to be in control for large stretches, even building a 14-point lead and entering the closing moments of regulation with a four-point advantage. However, Barça refused to surrender. Veteran forward Will Clyburn hit two clutch three-pointers in the final seconds to force overtime, setting the stage for a remarkable comeback.
Barcelona’s offense was led by Nicolás Laprovittola, whose playmaking and scoring proved decisive throughout the second half and overtime. Laprovittola controlled the tempo when the game was at its most intense, while Clyburn delivered several game-changing plays at both ends of the floor, including the defensive stop that secured the victory.
For Valencia Basket, Jean Montero and Matt Costello were the standout performers. Montero’s creativity and attacking ability helped the hosts dominate the early stages, while Costello provided a major scoring presence inside and was instrumental in Valencia’s fast start. Despite their strong performances, Valencia could not close out the game when it mattered most.
The significance of this result extends far beyond a single win. By capturing Game 1 on the road, Barcelona has taken away Valencia’s home-court advantage and placed immediate pressure on the regular-season runners-up. A victory in Game 2 would put Barça firmly in control of the series before the action moves to the Palau Blaugrana. Meanwhile, Valencia must respond quickly to avoid falling into a difficult 0-2 deficit.
After one unforgettable game, FC Barcelona has gained both the series lead and a crucial psychological edge in the race for the ACB title.
Gratian Cormos
Photo credit: Sport
