Sergio Mijares won the first title of his career with Leones de Quilpué (+Video)

Leones de Quilpué is the champion of Chilean basketball / Photos: LNB Chile Press

Venezuelan point guard Sergio Mijares won his first professional title after Leones de Quilpué beat Español de Osorno 104-69 in the fifth game of the Chilean National Basketball League (LNB Chile) final.

Mijares, a native of Barlovento, Miranda state, exhibited his best performance of the series to help the felines obtain the first league championship in their history, in their third final in succession, to the satisfaction of the fans who gathered at the Colegio Los Leones field.

Long way

“It’s been a long road. We started three years ago and with a lot of work and learning from defeats we have grown. Sometimes life gives you back… Seeing these young people, some with illnesses and physical problems, take a step forward, is something to be satisfied with,” said the Spanish coach of the Quilpué team, José Ángel Samaniego, in the middle of the celebration.

Point guard Alani Moore was the most outstanding player for the Valparaíso Region quintet, with 29 points, two rebounds, seven assists and four recoveries.

National contribution

Mijares came close to a double-double with a performance of 17 points, four rebounds, nine assists, two recoveries and one block.

With the title, Leones earned the right to represent Chile in the next edition of the Champions League of the Americas, while the Osorno team would defend the colors of the southern circuit in the South American Basketball League.

Santiago / Leon Aguilar