Valencia Basket at the Final Four: Pedro Martinez Celebrates « a Day We Will Always Remember »
EuroLeague - Pedro Martinez savors Valencia Basket's historic qualification for the Final Four after a dramatic Game 5 victory over Panathinaikos. The veteran coach pays tribute to his team's collective spirit and now prepares for the clash against Real Madrid.
Photo Credit : acb Photo / Miguel Ángel Polo
The qualification is historic. Valencia Basket secured their spot at the EuroLeague Final Four by defeating Panathinaikos in a thrilling Game 5. After the match, Pedro Martinez made no effort to hide his emotion: « We are at the Final Four. We are very happy, it’s incredible. It’s a huge achievement for the club. »
The Spanish coach refused to engage in the controversy sparked by Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman, preferring to keep all his focus on his players’ achievement. A stance that speaks volumes about the mindset in the Valencia locker room.
A collective victory over a more talented opponent on paper
One of Europe’s most respected coaches, Pedro Martinez was keen to highlight his team’s constant improvement throughout the series. « I am very proud of the remarkable focus the players showed throughout the entire series, and the way we kept improving and adapting, » he said. « In a very short time, the players adapted to aspects related to mentality. We played as a team and that helped us enormously. Panathinaikos is better than us on paper — individually their quality is superior. But we played very well as a collective. »
Guard Jean Montero received special praise from his coach. Despite fierce defensive pressure in the decisive game, the Spanish guard stood out for his basketball intelligence. « Jean Montero faced very strong defense and despite that, he played with incredible focus, » Martinez explained. « His first half was his best 20 minutes with Valencia Basket. It happened because he trusts his teammates. It was the game where he scored the least and the game where he played the best. This is a day we will still remember years from now. »
Goal, SMASHED!
Coach Pedro Martinez outlines the expecations that were set, Play-In? Playoffs?
No, #F4GLORY 👏 pic.twitter.com/TlCRKNDobY
— EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) May 13, 2026
Real Madrid in their sights, Scariolo in the crosshairs
Valencia Basket will now face Real Madrid and the legendary Sergio Scariolo for a spot in the European final. A matchup full of symbolism for Martinez, who crosses paths with the Italian coach 36 years after their first encounter. « I have followed his entire career. He is an incredible coach with NBA experience. He has won with national teams and clubs… I have the utmost admiration for him, » the Valencia coach confided, before humbly adding: « But fortunately, it’s not a matter of coaches. »
Brancou Badio vs Jean Montero — comparison
Popular support also played a central role in this qualification. « This week has been incredible because of the number of people and the enthusiasm I felt from people I don’t even know, » Martinez confided. « Making all these people happy is a truly beautiful goal. » According to him, this strong bond between fans and players was one of the decisive factors behind their success: « When you have that connection, it is much harder to lose. »
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Benjamin Guillot
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
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