Valencia Basket closed out its pre-season with a narrow 93-91 win over Kosner Baskonia. The final minutes were tense, with both teams trading leads, but Valencia held on to end its preparations with a win.
Beyond the score, Valencia looked more organized than in earlier pre-season games. Players executed set plays with greater confidence and adjusted quickly to Baskonia's pressure. The close finish highlighted the match's intensity and showed that the team is learning to handle tight situations.
Valencia Basket secured the trophy at the 11th EncestaRías tournament in Pontevedra after defeating Kosner Baskonia in the final.
Pre-season games are often tune-ups, but this one gave Valencia a last chance to assess its rotations and new lineups while working on issues from earlier matches. The coaching staff pushed the team to stay focused and resilient throughout.
On the court, the response was clear. Defensive mistakes were corrected quickly, and the offense looked sharper as the game went on. Beating a strong opponent like Baskonia in a close contest is a sign of progress, especially with the regular season about to start.
For fans, the win is encouraging. It suggests that Valencia Basket is aiming higher this year. Improvements from pre-season, both individually and as a group, are starting to show in real games.
A Valencia Basket official report said the decisive moment came when TJ Shorts converted two free throws in the final seconds, while Baskonia missed its last possession. Baskonia played with a weakened roster, missing Sedekerskis and Kurucs, with Howard also absent, yet still managed to push Valencia to the limit.
With the season about to begin, Valencia Basket's close win over Kosner Baskonia offers a practical sign of the team's ambitions. Valencia has shown it can handle pressure and finish games.
