Valencia Basket handled the pressure at Roig Arena, beating Panathinaikos BC 81-64 to win the EuroLeague Playoffs quarterfinal series 3-2. The hosts owned the glass, lived at the line, and kept the lead for more than 37 minutes. It was a complete, controlled performance in a decisive Game 5.

Big-game start and control of the glass

Valencia set the tone early and never really let go, up 14-10 after Q1 and 35-23 at halftime. Their work on the boards was the base of it all, winning rebounds 50-36. That second-chance edge, plus active defense, led to a 3-0 blocks margin and kept Panathinaikos’ rhythm off balance. Pedro Martinez’s team also stayed composed, finishing with fewer fouls than the visitors.

Badio leads the way, Montero closes it

Brancou Badio was Valencia’s go-to scorer with 20 points, a perfect 8/8 at the stripe, plus 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. He posted a Sofascore Rating of 8.3. Jean Montero added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks with a Sofascore Rating of 8. He sealed the game with four late free throws as the crowd enjoyed every second.

Valencia’s depth mattered too. Braxton Key contributed 12 points on 4/6 inside, 6 rebounds and a Sofascore Rating of 7.3, while Sergio De Larrea hit two big threes on his way to 9 points and a 7.2. Nate Reuvers gave useful minutes with 6 points, 5 boards and a block.

Panathinaikos’ surge in Q3, but Valencia respond

Ergin Ataman’s side had their best spell in the third quarter, outscoring Valencia 27-21 to cut it to 56-50 at the buzzer. Nigel Hayes-Davis led with 15 points, including three triples. Jerian Grant ran the offense with 10 assists and a Sofascore Rating of 8.8, while Cedi Osman scored 10.

Still, Valencia steadied the game in Q4, winning it 25-14. The hosts’ defensive rebounding and shot selection restored a double-digit gap, and Panathinaikos couldn’t generate enough trips to the line to close it.

Numbers that tell the story

Valencia outscored Panathinaikos 22/29 to 6/8 on free throws and edged overall field goals 25/65 to 24/68. Time in lead shows the control: 37:09 for Valencia, just 0:30 for the Greens. The hosts’ biggest lead hit 17.

Panathinaikos got 8 points from Vassilis Toliopoulos and 8 from Mathias Lessort, but 6 turnovers from Kendrick Nunn (4.7 Sofascore Rating) hurt during key stretches. For Valencia, the balance between perimeter shotmaking, board work and clutch free throws was exactly what a Game 5 needs.

Fans can dive into the full box score, live momentum and Sofascore Ratings for EuroLeague games like this on Sofascore.