Valencia Basket hosts Baskonia this Sunday in a match that comes at an awkward time in the schedule, given the decisive Game 5 of the Euroleague playoffs against Panathinaikos just days away. While head coach Pedro Martínez is expected to rotate heavily and rest players carrying the heaviest minute loads, the team cannot afford to take it easy if they want to protect their strong position in the Liga Endesa.
Wins by UCAM Murcia and Barcelona on Saturday have increased the pressure in the standings. Adding to the tension, Baskonia arrives at the Roig Arena just one win behind the taronja, with the opportunity to level the record at 21 wins alongside Xavi Pascual’s side. Moreover, the Basque team boasts far more rest, having already concluded their Euroleague campaign.
Unlike the postponed match scheduled for next Wednesday in Zaragoza, this Sunday’s game could not be moved, forcing Valencia Basket to seriously consider fielding players from their U22 squad. By league regulations, only three such players can be registered in the ACB, making them the only candidates for a call-up. Among the young talents who could make their ACB debut for Valencia are power forward Jorge Carot, point guard Álex Blanco, and Latvian small forward Tomas Talcis. Carot has already played for the first team in the EuroCup years ago and is part of the “Mur dels Somnis” project.
The team, which was greeted by dozens of fans at Manises Airport upon returning from Athens, is already without injured players Xabi López-Arostegui and Josep Puerto. As a result, at least one player will need to be left out of the squad, though more could be omitted if the coach decides to field some of L’Alqueria’s promising prospects.
This will not be an easy scenario to break the club’s losing streak in the ACB, especially against an opponent that arrives in strong form and with a favorable recent record. The Basque side has won five of their last six visits to Valencia for domestic league games, although all three previous meetings this season have gone in favor of the taronja.
**Extra Motivation for Baskonia**
For its part, Kosner Baskonia returns to the venue where they won the Copa del Rey just months ago, playing at the Roig Arena for the first time in a Liga Endesa match. They also have the chance to mathematically secure their place in the playoffs with a victory. After their elimination from the Euroleague, the Vitoria-based team has become one of the hottest sides in the ACB, winning six of their last eight games thanks to a significant defensive improvement. Captain Tadas Sedekerskis has returned to training and could feature in this match. The only confirmed absence is Khalifa Diop, while the Basque side will need to leave out two of their four non-European Union players from the squad.
**Fifth Game in Three Days**
Sunday’s match will be the third in five days and the sixth in thirteen for the taronja squad, who previously faced the Greek team in Valencia on April 28 and 30, and visited Manresa on Sunday, May 3. The demanding schedule could take its toll, but Valencia has grown accustomed to such a pace this season.
**Fourth Meeting of the Season**
Valencia and Baskonia will face off for the fourth time this season, with at least one more meeting expected. The first encounter took place in Vitoria on December 7 as part of Liga Endesa’s 9th round, where Kameron Taylor’s basket gave the taronja a 89–91 victory, with Reuvers scoring 18 points and Montero adding 17 to lead the scoring.
