MBA Season 1: The Rise of the Panthers

Season 1 of the MBA tipped off with six teams and one mission — to claim bragging rights in Dublin’s newest basketball battleground. Over 13 weeks of fast breaks, blown layups, and last-second drama, the standings began to take shape. The Pink Panthers ruled the jungle, finishing top with 9 wins and a +91 differential, blending silky ball movement with ruthless finishing. The Blazing Baskets weren’t far behind — the league’s most explosive offense racked up 8 wins and a massive +106 margin. The Flint Tropics clawed into third with 6 wins, while the gritty Dublin Warriors grabbed fourth, proving they could hang with anyone. At the bottom, the Hot Potatoes and Aughrim Crabs each managed just one win — but both were determined to make noise come playoff time.

And they did. The quarterfinals delivered upsets right away: the Hot Potatoes shocked the Warriors 50–44, while the Tropics edged out the Crabs in a nail-biter. The semifinals saw the Blazing Baskets outlast the Tropics 56–52, as the Pink Panthers dismantled the Potatoes 53–33 in a statement win.

That set the stage for an electric final — Blazing Baskets vs. Pink Panthers. In a high-tempo duel worthy of the occasion, the Panthers’ poise under pressure prevailed, sealing a 56–52 win and the first-ever MBA championship. The Hot Potatoes capped their redemption arc with bronze after beating the Tropics.

From wild beginnings to a pink-tinted ending — Season 1 was pure basketball magic.

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