Unbeaten UdeC add fourth Copa Chile to their dynasty with 80-74 triumph over Espanol de Osorno

Universidad de Concepcion extended their remarkable run as Chilean basketball's dominant force on Friday, beating Espanol de Osorno 80-74 in the Copa Chile CHERY by Cecinas Llanquihue 2026 final at the Olimpico de la UFRO before a sold-out crowd of over 2,500.
The victory gives UdeC their fourth Copa Chile title (2014, 2022, 2023, 2026) and avenges the Supercopa defeat to these same Diablos Rojos in Santiago back in March. More significantly, it underlines the Campanil's status as the most complete team in Chilean basketball they remain a perfect 12-0 in the 2026 Liga de Apertura regular season heading into the playoffs.
American forward Stephen Maxwell (201-F-1993, college: CSUN), the LNB's leading scorer this season, was named the game's MVP after a performance that broke Osorno's resistance through the middle quarters. Head coach Santiago Gomez was emphatic afterward: "We're tremendously happy with what we achieved today and the atmosphere we experienced here."
UdeC controlled the tempo throughout, building an advantage through their characteristic defensive intensity and balanced attack. Osorno rallied in the closing minutes behind strong performances from Jahsean Corbett (198-G/F-2002, college: Duquesne, agency: Helping Ballers), Ja'Heim Hudson (201-F-2001, college: Auburn, agency: Keter Management),, and captain Barham Amor (185-G-1996), but the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Osorno coach Rodrigo Munoz acknowledged the gap: "In rally situations we tried to solve things individually. They closed down well and we couldn't score. That caused some frustration, and combined with their converting on the other end, they built an important lead."
Both conference champions had earned their places in the final UdeC topped the Conferencia Centro and Osorno led the Conferencia Sur during the regular season. The Copa Chile served as the second major final of the 2026 LNB calendar after Osorno's Supercopa victory.
UdeC's dynasty under Gomez is staggering. The Concepcion club have won eight Liga Nacional titles (most recently 2025), four Copa Chile trophies, and four Supercopa titles, plus three BCL Americas championships (2021-2023). Gomez himself has expressed ambitions to return to continental competition: "It would be wonderful to compete in the BCL Americas or the Liga Sudamericana. I believe it's important for the university's name to appear in the best tournaments in the Americas."