Leones de Quilpue Hold Off Osorno's Late Charge to Retain the LNB Crown

Leones de Quilpue are champions of Chile once again, weathering a frantic fourth-quarter rally to beat Espanol de Osorno 77-71 in the single-game Grand Final and capture the Liga CHERY by Cecinas Llanquihue Apertura 2026 title.
Before more than 3,000 fans at the neutral Polideportivo del Parque Estadio Nacional, the "Felinos" controlled the contest for the better part of 40 minutes. They led 15-8 after the first quarter, took a 36-28 cushion into the break, and stretched the margin to as many as 17, sitting 60-44 ahead after three quarters. But Osorno refused to fold, erupting for 27 points in the final period to make it a nervy finish. In the end it was the experience and composure of Leones and a series of daggers from Nicolas Rebolledo (201-F-2002) that kept the Diablos Rojos at arm's length down the stretch.
Import center Gojko Sudzum (203-F-1994, agency: Bell Basketball) was named the game's MVP, dominating both ends with 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Valparaiso-region side to the title.
The triumph is a landmark for the Guillermo Frutos-coached club: their third LNB championship since the team's creation in 2008, following crowns in 2024 and 2025, and a successful title defense. Leones have become fixtures of the late stages of the national league, reaching the final for the sixth time in a row. As champions, they also booked a place in international competition, qualifying for the Liga Sudamericana in the second half of the year. For Espanol de Osorno who had reached the final by winning the Conference Sur and arrived in Santiago as the 2026 Super Copa winners the loss meant settling for runner-up after their spirited comeback fell six points short.