The Outlaws left little doubt on championship night.
From the opening tip of the 12th PGBL Finals, they played with urgency, speed, and confidence. When the final buzzer sounded, the Outlaws had secured their first league championship, defeating Tune Squad 80–68.
An aggressive fast-break attack set the tone early, as the Outlaws jumped out to a quick 9–3 lead. They were the bigger team and, on paper, the more talented one. Still, questions lingered. Just one year earlier, they had fallen short against the Kings, a franchise that had dominated the Finals for six consecutive seasons.
Tune Squad, stocked with seasoned PGBL veterans, responded like a team that had been there before. Using disciplined defense and patient ball movement around the perimeter, they slowed the pace and clawed back into the game. By halftime, Tune Squad had turned the early deficit into a 36–30 lead, reminding the Outlaws how fragile momentum can be on the league’s biggest stage.
The second half told a different story.
As Tune Squad began to struggle with foul trouble and injuries, openings appeared. The Outlaws wasted no time exploiting them. Louie Karapanagiotidis and Chris Vasiliou controlled the flow, distributing the ball and knocking down timely shots to keep their team within reach.
Then the Outlaws’ core took over.
Jimmy Armentani and Laz Mackrides delivered when it mattered most. Mackrides, wearing No. 33, consistently hit crucial baskets, while Armentani made his presence felt everywhere on the floor. He pushed the fast break, created scoring opportunities, and drew fouls that disrupted Tune Squad’s rhythm. Midway through the second half, the Outlaws reclaimed the lead and never surrendered it.
With eight minutes remaining, the Outlaws had stretched their advantage to 60–51, and the momentum had fully shifted. Tune Squad continued to fight, repeatedly getting into the paint, but missed layups and second-chance opportunities proved costly. Rebounds slipped away, and turnovers piled up.
Inside the final two minutes, the Outlaws finally broke the game open, extending the lead to ten at 75–65. Defensive pressure sealed the outcome, forcing missed shots and rushed possessions. Chris Vasiliou battled until the end, but Costa Mackrides ensured there would be no comeback this time.
The Outlaws closed out the night with authority.
Final Score: Outlaws 80, Tune Squad 68
The wait is over. A new champion is crowned.