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Fenerbahce Beko captured the 38th Men's Presidential Cup basketball championship with a narrow 85-83 victory over Besiktas GAİN at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Sports Hall on Wednesday.
The yellow-and-blue squad dominated early, opening with a 5-0 run before extending their advantage to double digits at 14-4 within the first five minutes. Despite Beşiktas's three-pointer that cut the deficit to 14-7, Fenerbahce maintained control to close the opening quarter with a commanding 25-13 lead.
Fenerbahçe's outside shooting proved decisive in the second period, with Baldwin, Jantunen and Onuralp Bitim connecting on five consecutive three-pointers to stretch the lead to 40-16. Besiktas responded with a 10-0 run that trimmed the deficit to 40-26, but still trailed 43-34 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Fenerbahce extend their advantage to 15 points at 55-40 behind Hall's perimeter shooting and Jantunen's interior presence. The defending champions entered the final period leading 67-50.
Besiktas mounted a determined comeback in the fourth quarter, using a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 10 points at 69-59. After Jantunen's three-pointer restored a 13-point cushion, officials made a third announcement to the crowd and temporarily left the court due to disruptions from the stands.
When play resumed, Fenerbahce appeared to seize control with Jantunen's three-pointer pushing their lead to 75-59. However, Besiktas rallied with another 10-0 run, combining interior baskets, close-range shots and free throws to pull within six at 75-69.
In the final two minutes, Hall's three-pointer gave Fenerbahce breathing room at 80-71, prompting a Besiktas timeout. The black-and-white team fought back with three-pointers from Vitto Brown and Dotson, plus a basket from Lemar, cutting the deficit to just two points at 84-82 with six seconds remaining. Fenerbahce held on in the closing moments to secure Türkiye's most prestigious basketball trophy.
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