Valencia Basket Reaches Liga Endesa Finals After Defeating Joventut
Valencia sweeps its way into the Endesa league Finals Photo Credit: acb Photo / David Grau
Valencia Basket are heading to the Liga Endesa Finals. On June 14, 2026, the Valencian club closed out their semifinal series against Joventut Badalone with a commanding 87-75 victory, securing their place in Spain’s top basketball showdown. Their opponent will be Barcelona, who advanced after sweeping Tenerife.
Jean Montero Leads a Balanced American Attack
The story of Valencia’s win was their American players, who collectively dominated on both ends of the floor. Jean Montero was the standout performer, finishing with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in just 27.8 minutes. The guard’s all-around brilliance set the tone for Valencia throughout the game, combining efficient scoring with playmaking that kept Joventut’s defense constantly off balance.
The depth of Valencia’s American roster proved to be a decisive factor. Kameron Taylor added 13 points and 4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes, while Brancou Badio chipped in 11 points off the wing. Matthew Costello provided a physical presence with 9 points and 6 rebounds, and Braxton Key rounded out the contributions with 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. That kind of balanced scoring attack is difficult for any team to contain, and Joventut had no answer for it.
Ricky Rubio Fights Hard but Joventut Falls Short
Joventut was not without their own weapons. Ricky Rubio turned back the clock with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 27 minutes, reminding everyone why the veteran point guard remains a respected figure in Spanish basketball. American forward Jabari Parker was equally impactful, contributing 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Cameron Hunt orchestrated the offense with 11 points and 6 assists.
Despite those individual efforts, Joventut could not match Valencia’s collective firepower. The 12-point margin tells the story of a team that competed hard but was ultimately outgunned by a deeper, more balanced squad.
A Final to Watch: Valencia vs. Barcelona
With the semifinal series wrapped up, Valencia now turn their attention to Barcelona, who swept through their semifinal against Tenerife without dropping a game. The Liga Endesa Finals promises to be a high-stakes clash between two of Spanish basketball’s most storied franchises.
Valencia will enter the series with momentum and confidence, knowing their American core — led by Montero’s exceptional playmaking — can match up against anyone. Barcelona, fresh off a dominant sweep, will bring their own firepower and cohesion. Spanish basketball fans are in for a compelling Finals series.
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