Malaga Claim BCL Bronze Before a Tense Final Sprint in Liga Endesa

Killian Tillie (6’10 », 28) and Unicaja Malaga will not retain their BCL title, but they leave Badalona with a new medal. After falling to AEK Athens in the semifinals, the Andalusian side bounced back on Saturday by defeating La Laguna Tenerife (85-80) in the third-place game. It was a hard-fought contest from start to finish, with the French international setting the tone early.

Killian Tillie Gets Malaga Off to a Strong Start

Starting in Ibon Navarro’s lineup, Killian Tillie quickly ignited his team with 7 early points. Very active in Malaga’s offense, the former Gonzaga standout became the first player in the game to reach 10 points, hitting a three-pointer in the second quarter.

The French power forward finished the game with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, 6 rebounds, and a strong impact on both ends of the floor in 22 minutes. He closed out his Final Four on a positive note after a tough semifinal against AEK.

📍 Tillie from the #FinalFour logo!#BasketballCL I @unicajacb pic.twitter.com/fKj8fFoFg1

— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) May 9, 2026

In a long-undecided contest — with 16 lead changes and 9 ties — Malaga ultimately made the difference in the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to a clutch three-pointer from James Webb III. Chase Audige (15 points), Tyler Kalinoski (12 points), and Olek Balcerowski (11 points) also played key roles in the Andalusian victory.

On the other side, Patty Mills put on a show for Tenerife with 23 points and 5 three-pointers.

A Third Consecutive BCL Podium for Unicaja

Even without a third straight title, Unicaja cements its place among the recent elite of the Basketball Champions League. Champions in 2024 and again in 2025, the Andalusian club now adds a bronze medal to its European trophy cabinet.

For Killian Tillie, this European campaign also validates his return to the forefront after several injury-disrupted seasons. Regularly used by Ibon Navarro when available, the Frenchman brought spacing, mobility, and interior versatility throughout the competition.

READ ALSO

Killian Tillie and Malaga’s Difficult Season: « We’re Struggling to Find Our Rhythm »

May 9, 2026

Gabriel Pantel-Jouve

Now It’s All About Liga Endesa for Malaga

Attention now turns to the domestic league, with a critical end to the regular season still to navigate. Unicaja has been going through a rougher patch in Liga Endesa, holding a 16-13 record heading into the final stretch.

Tensions have also risen in recent days following the announcement that Chris Duarte (6’6″, 28) is leaving the squad. The Dominican player has been released for disciplinary reasons, an episode that reflects the turbulence the team has experienced lately.

Malaga is nonetheless still well-positioned in the playoff race and hopes to hit their stride at the right moment. With a deep and experienced roster, Ibon Navarro’s squad is aiming to play a meaningful role on the Spanish stage, despite a less consistent season than in previous years.