Real Madrid became the first semifinalist in the Badalona Cup after going through the entire second half on the wire against a resilient Valencia, who had one last possession to sign the first surprise of the tournament but did not get the play right. Chris Jones, the best taronja, had the last shot that missed the net, which Claver’s tap-off did, but just a few tenths after the last honk.

Thus, Madrid imposed its law with many more difficulties than expected. He played with fire but avoided getting burned especially as Deck carried his team on his back again, scoring five of the last six points for the Whites at decisive moment. Because after going behind from the second action of the afternoon, Mumbrú’s team believed until the end, especially after Harper, with two free throws, gave Valencia the second lead (79-81) less than two minutes from the end. But then the figure of the turtle emerged, reliable as few others, to turn the situation around.

Madrid also experienced its tremendous physical superiority, adding up to 18 offensive sacks. Those of Chus Mateo believed they had done it when Hanga stretched to 31-15 (minute 13), the maximum of the match. But a triple from Prepelic from midfield hundredths before the break announced curves for Madrid in a second half in which Chris Jones put up all the battle he could despite his final failure.

The white team did not have its best afternoon either, neither in free throws (25/37) nor especially in triples (5/27), which allowed Valencia to stay in the game until the end thanks to points from Jones (20 ) and Harper (16) the only two Valencianistas who reached double figures.

Llull’s injury to his left knee, halfway through the second quarter, was the bad news for Real Madrid as he did not return to the court and his presence in the semifinals on Saturday is a mystery.

86 – Real Madrid (21 20 22 23): Williams-Goss (4), Musa (9), Yabusele (10), Deck (19) and Tavares (11) -starting five- Llull (3), Hanga (9) , Cornelie (3), Hezonga (16), Poirier (0) and Sergio Rodríguez (2).

85 – Valencia Basket (13 21 24 27): Radebaugh (4), Jones (20), Puerto (0) Claver (4) and Dubljevic (9) -starting five- López Arostegui (3), Rivero (8), Alexander (8), Harper (16), Prepelic (5), Evans (3) and Pradilla (5).

Referees: Emilio Pérez Pizarro, Óscar Perea, Joaquín García and Benjamín Jiménez. No deleted.

Incidents: First match of the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey ACB played at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in Badalona in front of 9,218 spectators.