Jean Montero needed just two EuroLeague games to announce himself on the biggest stage.
The 22-year-old guard buried a decisive three-pointer with 43 seconds left to give Valencia Basket a 103–100 road victory over EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Thursday night, helping the Spanish side even its record at 3–3.
Montero, last season’s EuroCup Rising Star, delivered 18 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, showcasing poise far beyond his years. His go-ahead triple came after Milan had erased a 22-point deficit to tie the game at 100–100, capping one of the most dramatic finishes of the EuroLeague season so far.
Valencia dominated early, leading 54–48 at halftime behind Montero’s 11 first-half points and a red-hot shooting display. Pedro Martínez’s squad hit 15 three-pointers on the night, including seven straight to open the third quarter, stretching the lead to 79–57 before Milan mounted its comeback.
Leandro Bolmaro kept the hosts alive with 31 points on 8-of-12 shooting, while Giampaolo Ricci provided support from the perimeter. But just as Milan looked set to complete the comeback, Montero sized up Shavon Shields, stepped back, and drilled the game-winning shot over his outstretched arm.
Valencia sealed the win on the defensive end, as Darius Thompson blocked Shields’s final three-point attempt with three seconds remaining. Thompson finished with 16 points and 3 assists, while Omari Moore added 13 off the bench.
Valencia’s balanced attack was the story once again, with five players scoring in double figures and the team shooting nearly 69% on two-pointers. Their offensive flow was complemented by poise in late-game situations, something Martínez has emphasized since the start of the season.
For Milan, the loss drops Ettore Messina’s side to 2–4 despite another strong showing at home. Bolmaro’s breakout performance was overshadowed by defensive lapses that allowed Valencia to dictate tempo for much of the night.
Valencia will next host defending champion Fenerbahce at Roig Arena, while Milan travels to Barcelona for Round 7.
