Valencia Basket, fallen twice at the Roig Arena, was reborn on the most intimidating stage, at the OAKA, the fiery lair of Panathinaikos, which already had one foot in the Final Four. Pedro Martínez’s team, untamable during this unforgettable season, rose again in Athens and extended the series by one more game (Friday, 20:15, Movistar). In the other two matches, Olympiacos managed to qualify for the Euroleague finale after their third victory against Monaco (91-70), while Zalgiris forced a fourth game against Fenerbahçe (81-78).
If anyone thought Pedro Martínez’s family was going to arrive in Greece defeated, they were very wrong. Valencia Basket entered the legendary OAKA without complexes, the fearsome Athenian arena where the crowd intimidates with an atmosphere as hot as it is hostile. Dimitris Giannakopoulos’ territory, the president who was not present because he received a three-game suspension after the incident at the Roig Arena but was present through the thousands of cards distributed with a portrait of the club owner smoking a cigarette, something common at the Telekom Center (the commercial name of the facility).
Kam Taylor led Valencia at the start, with Costello and Reuvers battling hard with Lessort, the strong Frenchman who clears the way for the perimeter players, fights for every rebound, and intimidates under his basket… The most balanced series of the Euroleague quarterfinals does not disappoint and in its third chapter both teams fought again without sparing effort, and at the usual speed: a hundred points per game. The big novelty, Pedro Martínez’s latest tactical twist, a two-on-one against Kendrick Nunn, glued to the sticky Papi Badio for the rest of the possession, when the American shooting guard received the ball with just a few seconds left.
Pedro Martínez had managed to reach the perfect cooking point for his players, who came out brave but avoiding provocations that could complicate the game. Just the right intensity in defense to force 11 turnovers from Panathinaikos in the first half and not commit too many fouls.
Ataman was unable to correct his shortcomings during the break. Valencia came out after halftime even more spirited, with an unstoppable Jean Montero who stretched the lead to 19 points (43-62). The orange team does not blink during games. Win or lose, play well or badly, come from a good streak or get stuck for a few minutes, their game does not change. No one hesitates in the game plan. And despite the difference, the players do not think about slowing down and on the next attack, with an open shot, Badio tries a three-pointer again. That is not questioned. The mistake is not punished. It is their style. Non-negotiable.
Braxton Key, very serious throughout the series, managed to draw the fourth foul from Nunn, their sharpshooter, with four and a half minutes left. Great news. The bad news came with the resurgence of another Panathinaikos pillar, the Turkish Cedi Osman, who led a Greek comeback attempt while the OAKA rumbled with a crowd fully engaged smelling Valencia’s blood. The tension grew by the minute and with 14 minutes left (56-67) the referees expelled both coaches after they got into an argument pointing fingers at each other. Both teams lost Pedro Martínez and Ergin Ataman, adding fuel to the fire. Fearless players were needed, bold types like Sergio de Larrea to keep making progress towards the fourth game.
Valencia, stunned for a few minutes, now in the hands of Xavi Albert, Martínez’s assistant, ended up returning to their style, their fleeting possessions, their daring. And that led them again to dominate the game (68-84). Panathinaikos had no choice but to accept that speed. Lessort came out to overshadow Montero with his height. Nunn’s left hand was their last option, but he committed the fifth foul and Panathinaikos was left lame. Lessort and Rogkavopoulos went after Valencia’s neck, who began to feel Panathinaikos’ breath (85-90). They got as close as three points (87-90) and one attack ahead, but Rogkavopoulos missed two three-pointers and Valencia emerged victorious.
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