Ligue d’Or 2026: JCA Kings edge ABC in dramatic Game 3 to secure back - to - back national titles

JCA Kings are once again the kings of Ivorian basketball. In a thrilling 2026 Playoff Finals series that went down to the wire, JCA defeated Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) 55-54 in the decisive Game 3 on Monday, June 8, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville to capture their second consecutive Côte d’Ivoire championship.

The Finals delivered everything fans could have hoped for. JCA claimed Game 1 70-69, but ABC responded in Game 2 with a 74-68 victory to force a winner-take-all showdown. In a tense defensive battle, the Kings held their nerve in the closing moments, producing the decisive plays of the game to secure a one-point victory and the championship.

The standout performer of the series was Jonathan Cissé, who was named Finals MVP. The talented guard recorded 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists in Game 1, followed by 23 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in Game 2. In the championship-clinching Game 3, he added 12 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists, once again delivering when his team needed him most.

Having already lifted the National Cup earlier this season, JCA completed an impressive domestic double by adding the league title to its trophy cabinet. The championship secures the Kings' place in the qualification stages of the 2027 Basketball Africa League (BAL), where they will aim to continue their rise on the continental stage.