Valencia Basket seized control of the ACB Finals with an 80-88 win at the Palau Blaugrana, moving 2-1 ahead in the series and to within one victory of the league title. Barça fought back brilliantly through Brizuela after falling well behind, but the visitors ultimately held firm. The series remains alive, however, and the Catalans will look to force a decider when Game 4 returns to the Palau on Wednesday.

Intensity and balance

Roared on by the home crowd and a dominant Shengelia, Barça edged a closely contested first quarter. After falling 0-4 behind, they responded with aggressive defence and greater intensity, preventing Valencia from imposing themselves early for the first time in the series. The opening period ended 17-15 in Barça’s favour.

Valencia responded in the second quarter with a 0-9 run to establish the biggest lead of the game so far at 17-27. Superior three-point shooting allowed the visitors to maintain control, although Xavi Pascual’s side fought back through their energy and pace, reducing the deficit to a single point at 33-34. Valencia nevertheless took a narrow 36-40 lead into halftime.

Valencia pull away

Shengelia’s influence continued after the break, but Barça struggled to contain Valencia’s attacking momentum. The visitors opened up a 14-point lead at 48-62 and continued to dictate the game. Led by Montero, Valencia dominated the third quarter, stretching the margin to 53-71 with a late three-pointer. Once again, Shengelia helped stem the damage and Barça closed the period trailing 57-71.

Brizuela sparks the comeback

The hosts refused to surrender. A superb start to the fourth quarter transformed the atmosphere, with Brizuela leading a remarkable comeback. Barça erased the deficit completely to level the game at 73-73 with five minutes remaining.

However, just as the momentum seemed to have shifted decisively, Valencia responded with an 0-8 run to regain control. Every possession became a battle, but Barça could not quite complete the turnaround. Trailing 78-84 in the final minute, they made one last push before Valencia sealed an 80-88 victory and reclaimed home-court advantage.

The visitors can now clinch the title on Wednesday at 8pm CEST, while Barça will need another strong performance, and the backing of the Palau crowd, to keep the series alive.

MATCH STATS

Barça, 80
Valencia Basket, 88

Barça: Laprovittola (6), Punter (5), Clyburn (6), Shengelia (25), Vesely (11), Brizuela (13), Parra (5), Satoransky (5), Cale (1), Hernangómez (3) & Núñez (-) 
Valencia Basket: Badio (3), Taylor (13), Key (12), Montero (29), Sako (2), De Larrea (13), Costello (4), Cárdenas (-), Moore (1), Pradilla (9) & Reuvers (2) 

Periods: 17-15; 19-25 // 21-31; 23-17

Referees: Carlos Peruga, Óscar Perea & Rafael Serrano

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