Cyber EL Top16: Martynas Valaitis dominates, as PAO sweeps Maccabi with blow-outs

The NBA 2K25 Cyber Euroleague Playoffs are heating up, and one name is shining brighter than ever—Martynas Valaitis. The Lithuanian esports phenom, who secured the first seed after a flawless regular season, stamped his dominance with a commanding 3-0 series victory over Viktor Vladov's Maccabi Tel Aviv. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.

Maccabi faced a brick wall named Panathinaikos and was sent packing in stunning fashion.

Cyber EL Top16 – Quarter Breakdown: Panathinaikos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

• Game 1: 24-11, 21-9, 28-9, 22-12 → Total annihilation.

• Game 2: 27-15, 18-18, 21-11, 24-14 → Maccabi fights early but fades.

• Game 3: 13-22, 9-22, 11-21, 18-28 → Valaitis finishes the job in style.

  
  

Total Domination by Martynas Valaitis

From tip-off in Game 1, Valaitis dictated the pace, outclassing German-Bulgarian competitor Viktor Vladov at both ends of the floor. Maccabi Tel Aviv struggled offensively and fell behind early, never recovering. The tone was set, and the gulf in class became more evident with each possession.

In Game 2, Vladov’s squad threw the kitchen sink—full-court pressure, double teams, aggressive traps. It worked—for a half. But Valaitis remained unfazed, breaking through with surgical precision, exploiting defensive gaps, and consistently finding the open man.

“I probably played my best first half of the season so far. Unfortunately, 150% effort is still not enough to match Martynas Valaitis. It's not just about his squad—he is undoubtedly the best in Europe right now,” admitted Vladov post-game.

With Game 3 being Maccabi Tel Aviv's last stand, they began strong, keeping the score within single digits in the first quarter. But Valaitis turned it up another gear. His elite shooting, ball control, and defensive rebounding shattered Maccabi’s momentum. By the final buzzer, the sweep was sealed with emphatic authority.

Is Martynas Valaitis the Favorite for the Cyber EL Crown?

Throughout this Cyber Euroleague campaign, Valaitis has shown an elite mix of creativity, execution, and discipline. Whether it’s fast breaks, lockdown defense, or high-efficiency shooting, his gameplay has been near flawless.

Even Vladov—a former real-life pro—didn’t hesitate to hand him the title of favorite:

“The fact that we didn’t play too badly and still lost every quarter—except one tied quarter—shows Valaitis’ true class, not just Panathinaikos'. For me, he is the biggest favorite to win the title. But the Final Four is single-game knockouts, so it depends on the daily form.”

With the top 16 gamers in Europe now whittled down to just a few, Martynas Valaitis enters the Final Four as the man to beat. His mix of composure, explosive offense, and veteran-like presence makes him a formidable opponent for anyone left in the bracket.

Stay tuned for full Final Four coverage, analysis, and live stream info as the Cyber Euroleague nears its dramatic conclusion.

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