The Spanish team is not celebrating yet despite a huge win over Cluj
Chris Jones was staying focused after leading Valencia to victory
Article
3 Mins read
Valencia Basket’s 98-74 victory over UB-T Cluj-Napoca felt like the Spanish team was not only advancing to the next stage but also sending a message for the rest of the teams remaining in the BKT EuroCup, with a ruthless and focused performance that saw Coach Pedro Martinez’s men lead by double digits for nearly 33 minutes.
Although this was truly a team effort, the best performer statistically was Chris Jones with a game-high 14 points along with 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots for a PIR of 18.
And the point guard readily agreed with the notion that this performance was a clear statement of intent for the title-chasing Taronjas, with Jones saying, "Definitely we wanted to show something in our first game in the playoffs in the EuroCup.
“We went out, we played hard, we got after it defensively, and I think that sparked the game for us, getting out on transition and stuff like that. We executed, not the best that could have, but we got the win, so I’m happy with that.”
Game Videos
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Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Quarterfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:48
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/03/12/yRogwwH6AvnfT2chotuU6ZWmCPYAp3ga-1741816120824.jpg]()
Chris Jones: 'We played hard'
- 00:09
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Lopez-Arostegui turns on the style! Magic Moment
- 00:11
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Ojeleye says no! Magic Moment
- 01:53
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Zavier Simpson: 'It was crazy!'
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Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Eighthfinals Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/055f73db-6dab-4f97-88cf-404b81c247b7.jpg?crop=1246%3A701%3Anowe%3A52%3A53]()
Stephens's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:08
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Stephens attacks the rim! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b377d9de-c109-424b-87f1-3caafa6f0557.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bbd73d77-ca78-4157-973c-c5ec99dd38e6.jpg?crop=1140%3A641%3Anowe%3A122%3A91]()
De Larrea to Reuvers alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c11bce19-a32f-4b67-9741-4be53fe450d9.jpg]()
Aris Midea Thessaloniki-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 18 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GJsnDy3lASk/maxresdefault.jpg]()
7Bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:25
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/314dfc99-6bba-4873-9e85-4578020f92a8.jpg?crop=1136%3A639%3Anowe%3A184%3A90]()
What an assist by Mokoka! Magic Moment
- 00:14
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Mokoka swats Stenionis! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/86037ca4-6c47-40c6-99cf-78ea980b43ec.jpg]()
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana-Valencia Basket | Round 17 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:18
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5f73e856-8fb8-4192-9c5d-6b989a8b18a1.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A129%3A164]()
Brimah blocks twice! Magic Moment
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Valencia Basket-Aris Midea Thessaloniki | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5f73e856-8fb8-4192-9c5d-6b989a8b18a1.jpg?crop=1178%3A663%3Anowe%3A86%3A91]()
Brimah throws down the alley-oop! Magic Moment
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U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 16 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/cd5bc455-e41a-4367-a103-92808b23f8f3.jpg?crop=1288%3A724%3Anowe%3A31%3A30]()
Lovely team baseline move by Cluj! Magic Moment
- 01:35
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Nigel Hayes-Davis: 'We took a better step forward offensively'
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Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade-Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul | RS Round 21 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/r_IM8-CGA2U/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
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Salin creates a fastbreak from the floor! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a88fc0b9-9773-40b6-849e-f8112d5d7b26.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A167%3A39]()
Zimpson dances and scores! Magic Moment
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7-Bet Lietkabelis Panevezys-Valencia Basket | Round 15 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
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Costello finds Pradilla! Magic Moment
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U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/292b724d-953f-4590-a792-ede9d1eebb00.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A41]()
Stephens posterizes Smith! Magic Moment
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Valencia Basket-Turk Telekom Ankara | Round 14 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/98408a91-f610-44ad-81db-6c35693787f1.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A74%3A77]()
Pradilla's magic pass to Costello!! Magic Moment
- 00:11
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De Larrea makes magic to beat the clock! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a7e00ef5-1e0b-4c26-9065-779189fc2dbc.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A39%3A144]()
Badio dunks on a lightning fastbreak Magic Moment
- 00:35
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2025/01/03/VeqxBSjYkLltGasXC4tfAOifP5cPOKoH-1735939361522.jpg]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment of the Night
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U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Veolia Towers Hamburg | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/bb684647-7ca2-4db3-bacb-d87a9aaaf699.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A173%3A146]()
Mokoka takes off for the massive dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e41e3d1-0b0e-439b-98c4-eb7a4a38913a.jpg?crop=1004%3A565%3Anowe%3A269%3A78]()
Hankins finds Mejeris for the slam! Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d14b864e-5462-45e6-94e8-c87b9bed0da5.jpg]()
Umana Reyer Venice-Valencia Basket | Round 13 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/5a98e545-7ea1-4e12-a3d7-9937f1a1e5a6.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A65%3A124]()
De Larrea to Brimah alley-oop! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bt3SoMaLDc4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Valencia Basket-U-BT Cluj-Napoca | Round 12 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2e282d57-84d2-4349-9df0-5787d2feb05b.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A126%3A123]()
Brimah's alley-oop dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/da540dff-7fcd-4b28-99ae-3edac2f31ed5.jpg?crop=1209%3A679%3Anowe%3A85%3A97]()
Simpson's circus shot! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/Jji9axLj4fs/maxresdefault.jpg]()
U-BT Cluj-Napoca-Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:28
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/ce750352-36a6-4eaf-a17d-105f866432fe.jpg?crop=1191%3A670%3Anowe%3A103%3A62]()
Seeley's three to take the lead for good! Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/40a8fb17-a93a-470d-bbf2-ba8aeb7bcd48.jpg?crop=1271%3A715%3Anowe%3A0%3A68]()
An open lane for Guzman's dunk! Magic Moment
- 00:30
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/049e436b-d82f-40d6-b6ab-f0f547d742e7.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A83%3A172]()
Big hustle, big dunk! Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/-DYE7B6b7yM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Veolia Towers Hamburg-Valencia Basket | Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/3766187c-ebef-4575-a3d8-b5da478e3408.jpg?crop=856%3A481%3Anowe%3A475%3A32]()
Brimah swats Turudic! Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/62847319-c58f-4da0-8314-10c2b4b8d9b8.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A97%3A62]()
Pradilla with the slick pass! Magic Moment
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Valencia Basket-Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem | Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 BKT EuroCup
The impression that Valencia knows its job is nowhere near done was further strengthened by the lack of celebratory atmosphere at the final buzzer. The Spanish team has already won the EuroCup on three occasions since 2010 and is clearly in the mood to add another trophy, with Jones keeping his game face on as he assessed the upcoming challenge presented by Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv in the last four.
“It’s a journey,” he said. “We’ve got this one, we’ll enjoy it tonight, and then we’ll get back to the drawing board, focus on what we need to do and prepare ourselves.”
Judging by Wednesday’s performance, Valencia will not be lacking preparation or focus when the matchup with Hapoel rolls around.