The Oliveirense basketball team pulled off a stunning upset in the Hugo dos Santos Cup final, beating FC Porto 83-78. The decisive factor was their aggressive defense. They pressured opponents, blocked shots in the paint, and fought for every rebound. This strategy paid off, especially in the second quarter, where Oliveirense’s physical and technical superiority became clear.
Onno Steger’s bench performance was a turning point. He scored 12 consecutive points, including two three-pointers, to shift the momentum in Oliveirense’s favor. His nine points in a 9-0 run early in the second quarter put his team ahead for good.
Key Players
Steger wasn’t the only standout. Here are some key players:
- Malik Morgan: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and a strong defensive presence. He was deadly from beyond the arc, making 5 of 9 three-pointers.
- Toney Douglas: 24 points and 6 rebounds for FC Porto, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Oliveirense’s defense.
- Max Landis: started strong with 7 of FC Porto’s first 10 points, but was benched with five fouls, including a technical, after just 1:27.
- Danjel Purifoy: contributed 15 points and 3 rebounds.
- João Fernandes: grabbed 9 rebounds and made crucial free throws with 13 seconds left to seal the win.
Historic Win
Oliveirense’s victory marked their fifth Hugo dos Santos Cup title and third since the competition was revamped. FC Porto, on the other hand, missed out on their third trophy of the season, having already won the Supertaça and Taça de Portugal. The Azuis e Brancos remain one of the top teams in the league, with eight cup titles, including five in the professional era.