COSPN remains at the pinnacle of men’s basketball. Facing RBC Boeny, the police club secured a 74-68 victory, clinching their second consecutive title.
The men’s final of the Madagascar N1A championship lived up to all expectations. The match between the defending champion COSPN and RBC Boeny was an intense duel marked by several momentum shifts and high pressure in the final minutes. Ultimately, the police club retained its crown with a 74-68 win.
After just two minutes, Boeny players led 7-0, setting their pace. Livio then opened the scoring for COSPN with a three-pointer, bringing his team to 3-7. The police team gradually closed the gap, trailing by only one point at 6-7 after four minutes and 12 seconds.
The turning point came after six minutes of play. COSPN took the lead for the first time at 12-11. Anthony followed up with a spectacular dunk to extend the lead to 14-11. The defending champions continued their dominance, leading 19-11 before ending the first quarter at 21-13.
The second quarter was much more balanced. However, COSPN maintained control of the scoreboard, leading 23-18 with 7 minutes and 38 seconds left before halftime. RBC fought back to 22-24 with six minutes remaining. COSPN held onto their advantage, heading into the locker room with a four-point lead at 34-30.
Driven by Anthony, who scored four points, and Marco, who added three, the police team went on an impressive 7-0 run to reach 41-30. The streak continued, and the gap soon reached 13, then 15 points, with a score of 45-30 with 7 minutes and 08 seconds left in the third quarter. Anthony, partnered with Arnol, continued to pressure the RBC defense, allowing COSPN to lead 47-30.
However, RBC Boeny gradually regained their form. With 21 seconds left in the third quarter, COSPN led 52-43 before RBC narrowed the gap to 46-52.
The final quarter confirmed the suspense. COSPN started with two more points to make it 54-46, then extended the lead again to 58-48 with 6 minutes and 13 seconds remaining. But RBC refused to give up, closing to 55-60 with four minutes left, and then to 60-61, casting doubt on the outcome of the final.
COSPN held firm in the money time. Despite a final push from RBC, who closed to 71-66, COSPN maintained enough composure to finish at 74-68.
With 16 points, Anthony Rasolomanana distinguished himself as one of the key architects of this victory. The COSPN player was also named MVP of the final. “It is a source of pride for COSPN to win the Madagascar championship title two years in a row,” he emphasized.
For the club, satisfaction is total. “We are very happy to have succeeded in keeping the title. It wasn’t easy, but it is a reward for the whole team,” confided Samy Olivier Harison, president of COSPN.
For RBC Boeny, the disappointment is great after having worried the champion for so long. “It’s a bitter defeat. We lacked experience at the key moment of the final,” admitted Rapha.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-05 05:53:33 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/basketball-5×5-le-cospn-confirme-son.html