Córdoba, Spain – Dominican Chris Duarte had a memorable debut with Unicaja Málaga, winning the 2025 Andalusian Cup. The team defeated Covirán Granada with a score of 89-81 in a packed Palacio de los Deportes Vista Alegre, which had 3,500 fans.
In his second official match with the Malaga team, Duarte contributed nine points, playing a crucial role in several offensive moments that led Unicaja to lift the trophy for the eighteenth time in its history.
The match was characterized by equality in the first three quarters. Although Granada took the lead initially (21-26), Unicaja reacted in the second quarter with a 9-0 run before halftime (45-40). Duarte was a prominent figure in this stretch, while Matt Thomas led the opposing offense.
In the second half, Covirán Granada regained a slight lead (64-65) after an exchange of three-pointers, leaving the result open until the last quarter. Unicaja demonstrated its composure in the decisive moments: a technical foul on the opposing bench opened the gap that the Málaga team knew how to manage until the end to secure the victory (89-81).
David Kravish (18 points) and Tyson Pérez (16) were key figures in Unicaja’s triumph, backed by a solid collective performance.
This title not only marks a successful start for Chris Duarte in Spanish basketball, but also reinforces his confidence for the demanding season in the Endesa League and in European competitions, where his talent is expected to continue to rise.
