The host, led by Tobey, minimized Valencia Basket and will face Real Madrid in the semifinals
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA, 14 (EUROPA PRESS)
Dreamland Gran Canaria defeated Valencia Basket (79-65) on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the Copa del Rey basketball tournament being held in Las Palmas. It was a tremendous display of faith, effort, and good play to overcome the debut for the first time since 2018 and avoid the host curse.
Jaka Lakovic’s team took control from the first exchange of three-pointers and stayed ahead, leading by as much as 17 points in the second half, setting up a clash with Real Madrid on Saturday for a spot in the final. Mike Tobey (19 points without a miss and 29 in evaluation) led the outstanding performance of the yellow team, minimizing a Valencia Basket expected to perform better.
«Everything is possible at home,» says the yellow club, and Lakovic’s men rowed and rowed to make it a reality. A month ago, during the Copa draw, Valencia seemed more intimidating than after their three defeats before arriving in Las Palmas, while ‘Granca’ was struggling with its own crisis of gameplay and results.
The host regained its best form and made Valencia uncomfortable, resembling more their recent matches than the team that nearly won the winter championship in Liga Endesa. The ‘taronja’ squad started with some aggression, but Albicy responded, and the first quarter quickly turned yellow (19-15). After a barrage of three-pointers, the Canarian team found other solutions.
Tobey’s performance was extraordinary. Despite a 5 out of 23 from the perimeter, ‘Granca’ dominated the game with the Slovenian center grabbing rebounds and scoring against Matt Costello. Later, Lakovic’s team picked up the pace with intense defense that stole seven balls from Valencia in the second quarter, much to the despair of Pedro Martínez (37-28) and the increasing excitement in the stands after two days of Copa.
Not even the timeout from the ‘taronja’ coach restored composure to Valencia, who had to change their approach significantly after halftime (40-31). The return was crucial for both teams, and the party continued in yellow as Tobey shone under the basket before moving to the corner to further energize the yellow wave. The center became a giant when Valencia tried to close the gap with Jean Montero, and ‘Granca’s’ offensive rhythm had no brakes until the end.
Caleb Homesley, Pierre Pelos, and George Conditt IV extended the yellow lead to 17 points (61-44). The best attack in the league fell short, far from contending for the club’s second Copa 27 years later, or returning to a final like they did in 2017 when Martínez was in charge. That season they won the league, but it seems that the ‘taronja’ machine needs some adjustments.
‘Granca’ surpassed the quarterfinal barrier, defeating last year’s nemesis, and ignited the fans’ dreams. Real Madrid awaits on Saturday with little time for celebration, although in Las Palmas during carnival, that might be asking too much. Although the ultimate goal is to make history, break the 23-year curse on the host, and even potentially face a Canarian final against La Laguna Tenerife, Real Madrid raises the stakes.
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
– RESULT: Dreamland Gran Canaria 79 – Valencia Basket 65. (40-31 at halftime).
– TEAMS:
Dreamland Gran Canaria: Albicy (11), Brussino (6), Thomasson (14), Shurna (3), and Tobey (19) — starting five –; Kljajic (-), Conditt (8), Homesley (5), Pelos (9), Salvó (2), Samar (2), Diop (-).
Valencia Basket: Jones (8), Badio (8), Sestina (9), Ojeleye (8), and Costello (4) — starting five –; Puerto (6), Reuvers (3), Pradilla (1), Montero (15), Brimah (-), López-Arostegui (-), Jovic (3).
– QUARTER SCORES: 19-15, 21-16, 25-20, 14-14.
– REFEREES: Conde, Perea, and Padrós. No players eliminated.
– VENUE: Gran Canaria Arena.
FUENTE