US Monastir has secured the 2019 Tunisian Basketball League title after bagging a 79-73 win over bitter rival ES Rades in Game 4 of the best of five Finals Series.
The title is Monastir’s first since 2005 and ends the team’s losing run in cup competitions to Rades. In 2018, Monastir lost to Rades in the league final.
Aside ending its losing run to Rades, Monastir has qualified to compete in the NBA’s maiden Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2020.
The league is due to have six teams from six African nations compete next year with league winners securing automatic qualification.
League winners from Angola, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco qualify automatically to compete in the tournament.
A special competition for the remaining six is to be determined later. Teams from countries including Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa are eligible.
Monastir could add to its trophy haul in 2019 should the team beat Rades in the Tunisian Cup to be played on May 11.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
