Valencia Basket beat EA7 Emporio Armani Milan this Friday 84-72, with an outstanding performance by power forward Jaime Pradilla, in a match corresponding to matchday 22 of the Regular Phase of the Euroleague and which smiled at the ‘taronja’ team for their comeback in the third quarter, signed with excellent management of the final minutes.
The Fuente de San Luis Pavilion saw an emergency duel for both teams, in full pursuit of the ‘play-in’ zone. And the first quarter was a reflection of this, with no income higher than five points. Devon Hall opened the visitors’ account facing the rim and made it clear that he would show off his inspiration from medium and long distance.
Meanwhile, Brandon Davies responded among the locals with his dominance in the low post. Semi Ojeleye and Chris Jones helped his teammate in many offensive tasks and Justin Anderson did not miss that appointment either, hitting a triple to close the first quarter at 21-19.
Valencia Basket does take advantage of its comeback against Milan
During the second act the Milanese team took off (28-35, 30-37) thanks, above all, to the scoring awakening of Nicolò Melli. Valencia Basket had dried up, lacking ideas other than what Jones invented in the light bulb. To make matters worse, Shabazz Napier scored a triple just seconds before halftime (32-40).
Napier himself repeated a three-pointer in the first play of the third period, placing EA7 Emporio Armani Milan’s maximum advantage at 11 points. Although the good performance of Melli and Hall preserved such loot for many minutes, the dynamic changed completely from 46-56.
Alegría de la Fonteta with Pradilla and Davies
A triple from the omnipresent Jones was linked with two free throws from Jared Harper, and Jaime Pradilla began to stand out in the inside game. Rebound after rebound and intimidation after intimidation, the ‘4’ of Valencia Basket signed actions of impetus and La Fonteta got the message to forge the comeback, another one this European season.
Valencia Basket does take advantage of its comeback against Milan
In fact, the fourth quarter started with a score of 61-59, which was stretched only a little (to 65-61) by two free throws by Kevin Pangos. But the visitors were involved in the game, they had not disconnected despite the adversity and despite the usual histrionics of their coach, the veteran Ettore Messina.
A triple from Stefano Tonut closed the contest and then Napier came to the fore again, first turning the result around (65-66) and later answering a triple from Davies (68-68). Hall and Ojeleye were the supporting actors on each side, but the Nigerian from Kansas shined more.
A beautiful basket from him, in suspension, established the 76-70 and not even a timeout from Messina raised the spirits of the Italian team. A triple by Pradilla from a corner sentenced the duel to 1:47 for his final horn. Kassius Robertson’s last points were testimonial and also a joy for La Fonteta.
This victory placed Valencia Basket with a balance of 11-11, in tenth position. Meanwhile, the Milan club fell somewhat behind in its fight, now sporting a 9-13 record and being part of a platoon with several teams looking to react.