FC Porto ends decade-long drought with Portuguese basketball title, stops Benfica's five-peat bid

A decade-long wait ends

Ten years after its last national basketball title, FC Porto reclaimed the crown by defeating defending champions Benfica 75-71 at the Dragão Arena on Sunday. The victory in Game 4 gave the Dragons a 3-1 series win and their 13th league championship, second only to Benfica's 31 in the all-time standings. It also prevented Benfica from securing a fifth consecutive title.

This title didn't fall from the sky. It wasn't chance. It was work. It was resilience. It was overcoming.

How the series turned

Benfica drew first blood with an 89-73 home win, but FC Porto responded dramatically in Game 2, rallying from a 14-point deficit to force overtime and win 102-98 at the Luz pavilion. The momentum shifted decisively in Game 3, where the Dragons dominated 87-63 in Porto, helped by a blistering start that overwhelmed the Eagles. By Sunday, the hosts needed only one more win, and they delivered despite trailing by two points (55-57) entering the final period.

An 8-0 run in the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter put FC Porto ahead for good. Benfica, whose offence had sputtered after a strong third period, missed critical three-point attempts in the closing minutes, with both Aaron Broussard and McEwen failing to convert. FC Porto held on, and the 75-71 scoreline sealed the title.

Allen-Williams leads the charge

Corey Allen-Williams was the standout performer for the champions, pouring in 31 points. On the Benfica side, Broussard contributed 25 points but could not prevent the Eagles from losing their crown. The Dragons outrebounded their rivals 43-26, a statistical edge that proved decisive across the series.

I was afraid that by the time we reached the playoffs, we wouldn't yet be ready for this level. Little by little, we managed to evolve, making difficult decisions, controversial ones, taking risks, but it was worth it.

A season of resilience and a personal dedication

President André Villas-Boas hailed the collective effort of the team, the coaching staff, and the directors, naming Fernando Sá, who won his first championship as a coach after a decorated playing career at the club, general director Mário Santos, and board member Alberto Babo. He dedicated the triumph to Pedro Machado, a youth academy player who battled cancer during the season, calling him an example of determination and courage.

The championship adds to FC Porto's triumphs in roller hockey's Champions League and the women's volleyball national title, marking a banner season for the club's professional sports sections.

Benfica coach Norberto Alves had urged his team to stay cohesive and correct the offensive shortcomings that hurt them in the previous games, but his side could not sustain the effort.