Article by David Istrate – published Monday, June 2, 2025 22:06 / Updated Monday, June 2, 2025 22:19
U-BT Cluj-Napoca started with the final of the final men's basketball league and passed with 89-82 by CSM Oradea, in a match playing in Oradea Arena. Mihai Silvășan's formation is looking for the 5th consecutive title.
For the third season in a row, CSM CSU Oradea and U-BT Cluj-Napoca met in the final of the National League. Like in 2023, Cristian Achim's band benefited from the advantage of its own land, but this time, the series is played in the format of “the best of five matches”.
U-BT Cluj-Napoca, victorious after a spectacular return in the last quarter
The first duel in the fight for the trophy rose to the level of expectations and started with a balanced quarter, in which 45 points were registered: 23-22. The protagonists of the two camps were Sayeed Pridgettwhich took the place of Kris Richard on the offensive, and Zavier Simpsonthe artisan of spectacular penetrations.
In the second sequence, the U-BT was more in charge, but the mistakes and the defensive problems did not allow the champion to distance themselves. As a result, at the break, the score was 42-41 for the guests.
The third quarter was excellent for the hosts who took advantage of the passivity in the opponent's game and dominated. The white and white tried a lot of remote throws, but Sasu Salin was not in shape, and the advantage of the red-blue has increased louder. Mihai Silvășan did not request any time-out and, before the decisive act, CSM Oradea was leading with 61-54.
There followed a last quarter in which the “students” played in a formula with two tall people, Zach Hankins and Deshawn Stephens. They better defended the basket and, with a Simpson on an excellent day, fluidized the attack.
The difference on the table has gradually decreased, the Clujians are increasingly aggressive and benefiting from many free throws. The public from Oradea did not agree with the decisions of the arbitrators, whom he hauined, shouting “thieves, thieves”.
Cristian Achim did not find solutions to respond to the stormy offensive of U-BT, led by Stephens, author of two 3-point baskets. As a consequence, The band from Cluj-Napoca imposed with 89-82 and took over the leadership in the final, 1-0“Stealing” the advantage of one's own land.
Mihai Silvășan, the coach of U-BT Cluj-Napoca and the Romanian national/photo: Imago Images
Mihai Silvășan: “It's only 1-0, nothing is over”
The winners of the winner were Zavier Simpson (25 points, 6 recovery, 4 decisive passes), DJ Seeley (20 points) and Deshawn Stephens (16 points, 6 recovery).
On the other hand, Sayeed Porcgett (17 points, 4 recovery), Travante Williams (15 points, 8 recovery), Donatas Tarolis (14 points, 4 recovery) and Khalif Young (11 points, 5 recovery) were noted.
It was exactly as we expected, a final, an extraordinary struggle. I knew we had problems with recovery and certain Miss Match in low-post if we choose to play with only two big people. We accepted this challenge and eventually came out, playing with two big people in the second half. This was the plan, in the first half, not to evolve with two big people and then use them in the second part if we have problems.
It's only 1-0, nothing is over. I am happy for this victory, it is an extremely worked result and we are already thinking about the match on Wednesday. I have the same expectations as each time, namely to win
– Mihai Silvășanaccording to u-bt.basketball
Cristian Achim, CSM Oradea/PHOTO: FIBA.Basketball
Cristian Achim: “Unfortunately, this match was influenced by arbitration”
It was a nice match, a true final. Unfortunately this match was influenced by arbitration. I'm sorry to say that. When a team with a single player who goes to the basket, in penetration, he benefits from 26 free throws I find it unreal. Seeley has 15 freely thrown without making the whole match. I have never seen something in my life. I'm sorry.
They had 14 free throws in the quarter. 4 can not be that way. This is the truth. Anyone can say, whatever wants, but reality is this. I have nothing to say about Cluj. I am a very good team, but under equal conditions regarding the arbitration may otherwise have been the situation.
I fought, I tried. I had good times, I had less good times. At the minuses I could note that I missed a little many open throws from three points and missed about 4 simple layers. You have to score them in a final, with such an opponent. That's about it. We see what happens next.
We hope we will have an arbitration that does not influence the game. I don't want anyone to help us. I want to be flawless arbitration but this evening it was not. I do not want to put everything on account of the arbitration or to apologize for any mistakes, but it doesn't matter. Everyone makes mistakes. And Cluj made mistakes. We must have an absolutely impeccable arbitration. And tonight I didn't seem to have been. Let's hope we will have the right arbitration further, but I tell you that I think with horror what awaits us in Cluj
– Cristian Achimaccording to csmoradea.ro
Match 2 will also be played in Oradea on Wednesday, June 4, at 7:00 pm. In contrast, the 3rd game is will be held on Sunday, June 8, at 7:00 pm, in Barena.
Also on Monday, June 2, the small final of the National League began. CS Vâlcea won 91-89 in front of CSO Voluntaridespite the fact that on the ground did not find out Cornelius Hudsonthe star of the team, which is injured.
