SINGAPORE (Singapore) - For the first time in 47 years, a team has successfully defended their FIBA Intercontinental Cup title.
Spain's Unicaja defeated NBA G League United 71-61 in the Final on Sunday, repeating their success from 2024, when they edged out the same opponent in the same arena.
The last time a team went back-to-back was back in the 1970s, when Real Madrid picked up three straight titles from 1976 to 1978.
Turning Point
NBA G League United owned a double digit lead for most of the first half, not being afraid of the Spanish powerhouse.
However, the problem with this machine of Unicaja is that they never stop. Even when they trailed by 12, they stayed true to their game, and cut the gap to one possession (36-33) at halftime.
After the break, it was all Unicaja. A 23-5 third quarter paved the way to another trophy for the green and purple team from Spain.
Player of the Game
Kendrick Perry had a quiet group stage by his standards, but stepped up when his team needed him most. The 32-year-old point guard orchestrated everything for Unicaja in the Final, finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a team-high efficiency rating of 15.
"It's a process," he said.
"Obviously, everybody looks up and sees the banners and trophies, but it's a lot of hard work to get here. It's a lot of sacrifice, a lot of down times, but the key thing is that we stay together, we believe in each other, and we believe in the system that the coaches and the organization set for us."
MVP of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2025
One thing that is specific about this Unicaja team is that every time somebody else steps up and picks up the MVP award. This time around, it was Tyler Kalinoski.
The sharp shooter knocked down 9-of-10 three-pointers in the first two games, and followed it up with a 12-point performance in the Final, too.
Stats Don't Lie
NBA G League United have plenty of offensive talent, but Unicaja put up a defensive wall, especially in the second half.
United committed 19 turnovers, 13 of those also being Unicaja steals, leading to a 20-7 edge in fast break points for the Spaniards.
Bottom Line
Unicaja became only the third team to win consecutive FIBA Intercontinental Cup trophies, joining the aforementioned Real Madrid and the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots, also with three in a row, from 1967 to 1969.
The win in Singapore also extends the unreal trophy hunt for coach Ibon Navarro in Malaga. With him at helm, Unicaja have won two Intercontinental Cups, two BCL Europe titles, two Spanish Cups and one Spanish Supercup since February 2023.
They could add another Spanish Supercup already next week, hosting the Final Four in Malaga on September 27 and 28.
For NBA G League United, Jaden Shackelford had 17 points, but they have to settle for second spot for the second consecutive year.