Valencia basket edges out jairis to claim copa de la reina title

Valencia Basket roared back from a 15-point deficit to defeat Hozono Global Jairis 70-65, securing their second Copa de la Reina title in a thrilling final.

Fam's resilience fuels valencia's comeback

The Taronja's stunning turnaround in the third quarter – a 27-12 run – denied Jairis a repeat victory in Zaragoza. Awa Fam was instrumental in the shift, contributing 6 points in the final and 10 in the semifinals. “I was super nervous. It was a very intense game, we didn't start with the best result, but our second half was fundamental,” Fam stated after the game.

Trailing by as many as 15 points early on, Fam emphasized the unwavering belief within the team. “I knew it was going to be difficult, but I never stopped believing in the team. We knew Jairis would make things hard for us. I knew each of us would take a step forward and that’s what happened.”

The halftime talk centered on a simple directive: give everything for the remaining 20 minutes. “We said there were 20 minutes left and we had to give it our all. And then if we couldn’t walk afterwards, we’d worry about it. But those 20 minutes were about giving our all, about trying to win the Copa, and we won it,” Fam explained. She also highlighted the impact of their summer experience with the national team and the energy shift at halftime.

The victory provides a significant boost as several Valencia players are eyeing the upcoming WNBA draft. This win wasn't just a trophy; it was a validation of their hard work and a much-needed ego boost after a challenging season. The team’s resilience in the face of adversity proves their championship pedigree.