FC Barcelona have made it to the Endesa Super Cup final after defeating Valencia 87-86 in the semi-finals. The blaugranes put in a true team performance at the Palau Olímpic de Badalona and will now compete this Sunday for their second title of the season against Asisa Joventut.
Strong start from Barça
Barça made the better start, showing impressive defensive intensity and paying particular attention to rebounding. Once the Catalans reached the 10-point mark, they took control of the scoring and remained in front through the end of the first quarter. Early three-pointers from Kevin Punter and Brandon Martin helped establish the lead. Sekulic’s side closed the opening period with a superb three-pointer from Dario Brizuela, giving them a five-point advantage at 24-19.
Barça maintained their strong tempo in the second quarter and never relinquished their lead. Justin Robinson knocked down his first three-pointer of the evening with two minutes remaining before halftime, helping Sekulic’s team head into the break with a 43-40 advantage over Valencia.
The contribution from Barça’s bench was also noteworthy. Olivier Nkamhoua recorded 9 points and 6 rebounds during the first two quarters, providing an important boost for the Sekulic’s team.
Electric start to the second half
Barça opened the third quarter in impressive fashion, looking far sharper than Valencia. A basket from Parra and a dunk by Nebo set the tone, before Robinson hit his second three-pointer of the game to give the Blaugrana a seven-point lead at 50-43.
Valencia increased their scoring pace in the final stages of the third quarter and managed to cut the deficit to just three points. However, Joel Parra came up with a huge play right on the buzzer, scoring after collecting an offensive rebound to ensure Barça ended the quarter with a five-point advantage at 66-61.
A setback arrived for Barça at the start of the final quarter. Josh Nebo was ejected after being called for a second unsportsmanlike foul. Robinson responded immediately, nailing a three-pointer as the shot clock expired to reach 15 points and restore an eight-point lead for the visitors. Shortly afterwards, Tryse Martin knocked down a crucial three-pointer that allowed Barça to maintain a cushion of more than seven points.
Valencia Basket fought back strongly and entered the closing minutes with momentum and brought the game back to 84-84.
Robinson, the game’s leading scorer with 17 points, put Barça back in front, and after Valencia tied the game once again, Punter stepped up and converted a free throw with less than three seconds remaining to seal an 86-87 victory for Barça.
MATCH STATS
BARÇA, 87
VALENCIA BASKET, 86
Barça: Robinson (17), Punter (7), Umude (3), Parra (12) i Nebo (11) – starting five – Brizuela (6), Martin (10), Gibson (2), Nkamhoua (10), Balcerowski (4), Minaya (5), Núñez (-).
Valencia Basket: Shorts (17), Saint-Supery (6), Osetkowski (5), Taylor (23), Reuvers (15) – cinc inicial – Puerto (6), Cárdenas (-), Moore (-), Brooks (5), Gueye (4), Corbalán (1), Sima (4).
Quarters: 19-24, 21-19// 20-23, 20-21