Basketball Bundesliga
Bayern star Ibaka wants his first title in Germany
Is hungry for his first title in Germany: Serge Ibaka. photo
© Daniel Löb/dpa
His transfer caused excitement in the summer. And Serge Ibaka has lived up to expectations so far. Now he wants his first title in Germany.
Serge Ibaka has played more than 900 games in the NBA. He took part in the Olympic Games, World and European Championships. But if the basketball players of Bayern Munich are playing in the cup final against the German champions ratiopharm Ulm for the first title of the season, then the game in Munich’s BMW Park is also a special one for the 34-year-old center.
“I’m hungry for my first title in Germany,” said Ibaka before the final. “I’m grateful to be here and to be able to play here,” said Bayern’s royal transfer. He documented how important winning the cup is to the Spaniard with Congolese roots with his strong performance in the semi-final against Bamberg Baskets. With 15 points and nine rebounds, he was the dominant player on the floor on Saturday and played a major role in the 81:62 victory.
Praise from Coach Laso
“Serge started the game with the right attitude, he was there from the start, not just when it came to scoring,” Bayern coach Pablo Laso also praised the 2.10 meter tall, 120 kilogram powerhouse. “Serge is an absolute bench that we can always rely on. He is a winner and still wants to win everything,” said world champion Niels Giffey, praising his prominent teammate.
If Ulm wants to have a chance in the final, it must, above all, stop Ibaka. Despite the hard-fought 87:79 in the second semi-final against Alba Berlin, the German champions go into the final as underdogs. “No team has managed to beat Munich in the last twelve league games. So it will be a fight and we have to accept it,” said Ulm coach Anton Gavel.