It had been seven years since Valencia Basket had seen the rest of the ACB League from the top of the standings. The last time was in the 2016-17 season, with Pedro Martínez on the bench. That course ended with a great party and the trophy in his hands. The Catalan has returned to Fonteta this season to build a team that leaves the office with more than 95 points scored every day. An average that has not been seen in Spain since the late 80s. It is a devastating team from the three-point line. Yesterday he did not fail in a crucial duel against the second placed team, La Laguna Tenerife of Txus Vidorreta, Pedro Martínez’s assistant that triumphant season, and took a very valuable victory (96-81) for his interests.
The Canary Islands team held their own during the first two quarters, but in the third they were overwhelmed by a rival that bases its strength on three-pointers scored and offensive rebounds (this time it captured eight more than its opponent). The template taronja She may not be the brightest, but she is the one who has the clearest idea of what she has to do on the field.
Pedro Martínez is inflexible and insists week after week on a style of play that is being very productive. The Valencia Basket coach has five point guards and he has none. He doesn’t want the ball to be in the game director’s hands. His idea is to run from hand to hand along the 6.75 line to be in permanent threat. And as soon as he hits a favorable streak, he returns to the scoreboard three by three.
La Laguna Tenerife went from being familiar with Valencia to finding themselves, almost suddenly, 16 points behind (68-52). It did not collapse thanks to Marcelinho Huertas. The stainless point guard made a point to keep his team on the scoreboard and even forced Pedro Martínez to call a timeout when they got within five points (81-76). Txus Vidorreta saw that he had options with just over three minutes left. But this Valencia Basket has amazing accelerations in almost every game and in a few attacks it once again went over 15 points ahead to position itself as leader of the ACB League in a season in which it has not known defeat at home and, In addition, they have won all their Eurocup matches.
La Laguna Tenerife is also having a great season and was counting on, if it won, to take over the leadership of an ACB that is exciting, with Unicaja and Real Madrid also on the lookout. The Andalusian team, in great shape, faces Gran Canaria on this day.
