BAXI Manresa gets the first victory in a vibrant match at Congost

77 BAXI Manresa I Dani Pérez 3, Hunt 24, Sagnia 4, Alston 20 and Cate 2; Vescovi 2, Reyes 2, Steinbergs 8, Saint-Supéry 2, Obasohan 6 and Brimah 4

73 Valencia Basket I Badio 9, López-Arostegui 5, Ojeleye 19, Sestina and Happ; Puerto 5, Reuvers 5, Pradilla 4, Montero 14, Jovic 1 and Costello 11

Partials: 22-16, 27-18, 12-17, 16-22

BAXI Manresa started the Liga Endesa with a victory at the Nou Congost against Valencia Basket (77-73) in a match in which they dominated for most of the minutes but which had to be decided in the final stretch. Before the match, the club paid tribute to Salva Maldonado, who managed 218 games on the Manresa bench and was crowned Copa del Rey champion in 1996. His shirt is already hanging from the ceiling of the Nou Congost.

The players led by Diego Ocampo came out more focused and, led by a very effective Hunt, they nailed an initial partial of 16-7. For their part, the Valencian substitutes were accurate and were able to close the gap at the end of the first quarter (22-16).

In the second period, the reds showed much more aggressiveness than their rival and, mainly with baskets from the area, obtained a maximum difference of twenty points (45-25). At half-time of the match, the Bages team dominated by fifteen points (49-34).

Coming back from the locker room, the defenses clearly imposed themselves on the attacks, and both teams were very unsuccessful in shooting. The visitors improved compared to the first half, and thanks to this they were able to reduce the difference at the end of the third quarter (61-51).

In the last ten minutes Valencia came out strong and obtained a partial of 2-12 to tie the game at 63. Everything had to be decided in a close final, in which the locals were more effective and took the first victory of the season.

Next Wednesday BAXI Manresa starts the Basketball Champions League with the visit of the Portuguese SL Benfica, in a match that will start at 20:45.