Valencia based Ros Casares have taken an early lead against UB Barcelona in the five-game play-off final for the Spanish Women's Championship.

In a battle of two sides that competed in the FIBA Europe League Women, the team coached by Domingo Diaz got excellent displays from Spanish international Amaya Valdemoro (22 points) and Lucienne Berthieu (19 points and nine rebounds) to win a tense game 73-68 on Friday.

Pushed on by almost 2,000 fans, Ros Casares bounced back from a 26-23 first-quarter deficit to lead 41-37 at the break.

Another Spanish international, Barcelona's Laia Palau (21 points), led a Catalan fightback in the third period. The visitors went on a 14-2 run and ended up with a 55-54 advantage 10 minutes from the end.

With only six to go, the teams were tied at 61-61.

That was the moment for former Barca player Kendra Holland to score five vital points before Valdemoro gave the coup de grace with a three-pointer to make the first game safe for the home side.

Ros Casares have a chance to go 2-0 up in the series when they host Game 2 on Sunday.