Etoile Sportive de Rades clinch 2018 Tunisian League title

RADES - Etoile Sportive de Rades on Saturday stunned local rivals Union Sportive Monastirienne 91-68 to claim the 2017-18 Tunisian League title at Salle Tawfik Bouhima of Rades.

Runners-up as hosts of last year's FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC), the Rades-based side closed the best-of-three Finals series in Game 3.

Omar Abada led a star-studded Etoile Sportive Rades side with a game-best 25 points, his fellow Tunisian international Mohamed Hadidane added 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Firas Lahiani led the Monastir side with 17 points. 

 Omar Abada (TUN)

"The key to the title was the good chemistry between players on and off the court. We played together like a family, we protected each other, hustle for every ball possession," Abada said to FIBA.basketball, adding: "Our president and committee provided us all with the resources to succeed and we did it."

The Tunisian international admitted that Game 3 was a do-or-die situation to them especially after losing Game 2.

"We felt some pressure, but we put a lot of energy in the game that allowed us to control the tempo of the game and we were able to keep advantage throughout the game."

As a result of Etoile Sportive de Rades' latest success, they automatically earned a place in the FIBA Africa Zone 1 Qualifiers for the 2018 ACC.

"Our team is planning to play in the next ACC because we have an ambitious team and we always want to achieve new challenges," Abada explained. 

Last December, Etoile Sportive de Rades were stunned by Moroccan side AS Sale in front of their home fans.

AS Sale of Morocco celebrated the 2017 ACC title after beating Etoile Sportive de Rades 

"We bounced back quickly and focused again on our targets. We went to Dubai and won an international tournament there against high-level teams. And it helped us prepare well to win the second Tunisian League title in a row. During the season we lost only one game, so we deserved this title. This title is very important for me as a player for the club as well."

With the triumph, Adel Tlali's men improved the club's trophy cabinet with the 13th Tunisian League.

FIBA