Ventspils wins inaugural Latvian/Estonian League title

Ventspils made history on Saturday night, after defeating VEF Riga in the Finals (102-80) to earn the inaugural Latvian/Estonian League title.

In the clash between the two teams from Latvia, Rihards Lomazs led the winners with 26 points and claimed the Final Four MVP award. Maris Gulbis (12 points) and Ingus Jakovics (18 points) also scored in double figures.

Steve Zack and Glenn Cosey had 19 and 15 points, respectively, for the losing squad.

Ventspils lost only once at the beginning of the season. After that, they won 31 straight games to reach the Finals and claim the title. VEF Riga also had an impressive record (30-2 until the final), but both defeats were against Ventspils. This was the first championship of the inaugural Latvian/Estonian League.

Last season both teams also met in the final of the playoffs series of the Latvian Championship. Then too, it was Ventspils that won. But the year before it was the other way around with VEF Riga claiming the title.

Kalev/Cramon was the best placed Estonian team in the joint Latvian/Estonian League. They ended third in the regular season with a 25-3 record. The also beat Ogre in the third place game.