Real Madrid won the inaugural Liga U championship on Sunday, outlasting Barca Atletic 86-82 in a Clasico final at the Polideportivo El Plantio to become the first team ever to lift the trophy in Spain's new U22 competition.
Coach Javi Juarez's side built a commanding 19-point lead through a first half in which their perimeter shooting was virtually unstoppable connecting on 8-of-15 three-pointers before the break to lead 49-36 at halftime. But Barca mounted a ferocious second-half comeback, outscoring Real Madrid 46-37 across the final two periods. A 25-17 third quarter cut the deficit to single digits, and the fourth quarter became a nerve-shredding affair as the Blaugrana closed to within four but could not complete the overturn.
Hugo Alonso (185-G-2008) was named Finals MVP after controlling the tempo with key steals and clutch plays down the stretch. G. Grinvalds was the statistical leader with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds (11 defensive) along with four steals. H Martinez added 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Fabian Kayser (201-G-2009) was perfect from the free-throw line at 9-of-9 for 14 points. Omer Kutluay (193-G-2009) provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and Andrej Bjelic (195-G-2008) had 12.
For Barca, Mohamed Keita (207-C-2001, college: Laval) was sensational with 25 points on 8-of-12 from the field and 9-of-16 from the free-throw line, adding seven rebounds and 10 trips to the line. Mohamed Dabone (208-F/C-2011) posted 15 points and 12 rebounds with two blocks, while Jakob Siftar (197-F-2009) added 16 including three triples. But the Blaugrana shot just 7-of-27 from three (25.9%) and could not overcome the first-half deficit despite their spirited rally.
In the third-place game, hosts Burgos Grupo de Santiago beat Casademont Zaragoza 87-83 behind Liam Krispin)'s 23 points and Joaquin Taboada (190-SF-2007)' 22 points, seven rebounds, and nine trips to the line. Aleksandr Savkov (197-SF-2005) led Zaragoza with 20 in defeat.
The Liga U a joint ACB and FEB initiative launched this season to provide competitive minutes for U22 players who struggle for regular playing time in Liga Endesa completed its historic first edition with three days of free-admission basketball in Burgos broadcast live on YouTube, RTVE Play, and multiple regional television networks.