The BBL Trophy heads to Cheshire for the sixth time.
Cheshire Phoenix defeated the London Lions in the BBL Trophy final with a stunning second half performance to claim their second title in three seasons.
After suffering one last heartbreak in the 2023 finals, Phoenix put on a great performance in the final 20 minutes to win their sixth crown.
Phoenix point guard LaQuincy Rideau scored 25 points and the trophy final was played in Birmingham for the first time since 2002.
The Lions have lost four of their five finals games.
The Lions trailed by three points after the first quarter, but took a 49-45 lead at the interval thanks to Tarik Philippe’s 3-pointer.
With Phoenix threat Skylar White keeping the team in check from beyond the arc, Cheshire made a series of defensive stops, clinical fast-break finishes and a series that led to a 12-0 run late in the third quarter. and took the lead. of free throws.
Lions point guard Jordan Taylor came off the bench and cut the deficit to 67-61 as time expired in the third quarter, almost single-handedly turning an 11-point deficit into a three-point advantage early in the fourth. .
However, as the Lions went scoreless for nearly four minutes in the final period, Coach Rideau restored Chester to an eight-point lead, and White’s long-range shot with just over two minutes remaining solidified Phoenix’s lead.
The Chester franchise, then named the Jets, won four consecutive BBL trophies from 2001 to 2004 and are now just one behind Newcastle for the most trophy wins.
Rideau, who was named MVP in the final, told Sky Sports: “Back in September, everyone was doubting us. Some were down at 8 or 9. I know, I know that. I continued to protect it.”
“We knew what we had. I believe in my team. We have great fans and we love them. We are not the underdogs, we are the top dogs.”
Phoenix head coach Ben Thomas added, “We’re very happy, just like last year. We’re very happy to win for our fans.”
“I feel really good. We knew we missed that one (in 2023). We left it up to them, especially in the second half, and gave it everything we had.”
Lions captain Taylor added: “They made shots, they played defense. They were ready. They only scored 30-odd points in the second half. Hats off to them.”
The Lions had come from a 15-point deficit to defeat the defending champion Caledonia Gladiators 85-75 on Saturday night to advance to the finals. Josh Sharma led the comeback with 19 points off the bench, and Gabriel Olaseni had 18 points and 15 rebounds in less than 18 minutes on the court.
In the other semifinal, Rideau made a layup with six seconds left and Cheshire regained a 12-point lead late in the game to defeat the Leicester Riders 92-91.
Arlin Rye had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Rideau added 15 points and 13 assists for the winner.