By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia Basket are facing an early-season setback, with several important players sidelined.
The biggest blow is the loss of Jean Montero. The Dominican guard will miss the start of the competition after undergoing surgery on a finger injury.
Montero received PRP treatment through the summer so he could play with the Dominican Republic. He later returned to action with Valencia, even scoring 23 points against Murcia, but a new knock aggravated the injury and eventually forced surgery.
“Had we opted for surgery in the summer, he wouldn’t have played for his national team, but he would be available for the Supercopa and other games. We chose the conservative path, but these are decisions our performance department must make,” explained sporting director Luis Arbalejo, according to COPE.
Sergio De Larrea, who played for Spain at EuroBasket, and Nate Sestina also dealt with injury problems.
“With De Larrea we opted for conservative treatment and he hasn’t had shoulder surgery. Nate Sestina had to undergo surgery this summer for two hernias,” Arbalejo noted.
Montero won’t be the only absence.
“Brancou Badio has a muscular issue, he’s been out for a week, it could be three or four. Xabi López-Arostegui, with his fractured finger, will also be out three to four weeks. Montero, four to five. So, obviously, all three are practically ruled out for the Supercopa,” Arbalejo added. “It’s also very unlikely they’ll make it in time for the EuroLeague double-header.”