Basketball Champions League: Tenerife and Banvit to contest final

The first-ever FIBA Basketball Champions League is drawing to an exciting conclusion and we now know the two clubs that will face off in the title showdown. Iberostar Tenerife has used home advantage well through the Final Four and will now meet Banvit of Bandirma in the title decider.

Both teams progressed to the finale of the Basketball Champions League on Friday, with Umana Venezia and Monaco the clubs sent packing.

Banvit vs. Monaco, 83-74

Monaco will look back on a third quarter that cost them a berth in the grand final. The French club had kept pace with Banvit through the first half. During the opening quarter, Monaco looked in cruise control and eased to a 14-23 advantage. Banvit won the second frame 23-22, but the French club held the lead at 37-45 through the long break. That defining third act saw Banvit drain 18 points and stop Monaco at 8. It was a pivotal exchange that meant the Turkish club could ride to victory in the fourth.

Jordan Theodore led the win with a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists, while Jamal Shuler connected with 20 points in the losing effort.

Iberostar Tenerife vs. Umana Venzia, 67-58

Final Four hosts Iberostar Tenerife edged out Umana Veneiza to reach the showpiece game in this season’s FIBA Basketball Champions League. The Italian visitors took a first act lead at 16-21, before Tenerife turned the momentum with a 24-13 run in the second quarter. Through the halftime rest, the hosts led 40-34 and looked in control. A 16-8 run in the third frame all but settled it as a contest, allowing the Spanish team to cruise to victory.

Tim Abromaitis nailed 19 points to pace the win.

The Final

Looking ahead to the final, it is easy to see why Iberostar Tenerife is the favourite. The club has home advantage and will be looking to the crowd to place a proverbial sixth man on the hardwood.