Valencia has kicked off the new season in the EuroLeague with a home win against Monaco, led by Sasa Obradovic, with a score of 70:65.
The match was closely contested and was decided in the final three minutes when the responsibility fell on the shoulders of the guards, Chris Jones on one side and Mike James on the other. Jones received assistance from Sami Ojeleye, and in the end, they emerged as the winners.
Sami Ojeleye contributed 19 points for the home team, while Chris Jones added 14 points. On the other side, in the Monaco team, where Kemba Walker was absent, Mike James scored 21 points, and Elie Okobo contributed 17 points.
In the first half, specifically in the first quarter, Brandon Davies picked up two personal fouls, which disrupted Valencia’s gameplay. The game remained mostly even until the end of the first quarter when Monaco, following a three-pointer by Mike James, took their largest lead of five points.
At the beginning of the second quarter, Monaco extended their lead to six points, but then former Cibona player Nathan Reuvers stepped up, performing well on both ends of the court, and the home team quickly leveled the match. This is how the game continued until halftime, with the score at 39:38.
In the second half, a similar story unfolded. The home team tried to slow down the pace of the game, while the guests relied heavily on individual quality. Following points from James, they reached their biggest lead of 51:43 towards the end of the third quarter.
On the other side, Sami Ojeleye, who came from Virtus, matched James with an excellent individual performance, and the lead dwindled after a 10-0 run by the home team. As the third quarter came to a close, Valencia held a narrow lead of 53:51.
The final 10 minutes saw a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging baskets. Then, Chris Jones took matters into his own hands, scoring five consecutive points and giving his team a 59:55 lead. Okobo responded with a three-pointer, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.
James made an incredible three-pointer to put his team in the lead. Initially blocked, he managed to recover the ball and, with the buzzer sounding, made the shot for a 63:61 lead. Jones answered with a three-pointer to make it 66:63. Then, Okobo committed a foul on Ojeleye, who secured the victory for his team with free throws.
Valencia – Monaco 70:65 (17:20, 22:18, 14:13, 17:14).
Arena: La Fonteta
Referees: Javor, Hordov, Peerandoi
Valencia: Harper 1, Claver, Puerto, Reuvers 5, Pradilla 3, Jones 14, Inglis 9, Jovic 2, Toure 5, Robertson 8, Davies 4, Ojeleye 19.
Monaco: Okobo 17, Blossomgame 4, Brown 8, Diallo 5, Cornelie, Jaiteh, Motiejunas 8, Tarpey, Outtara, Strazel 2, Hall, James 21