Copa Príncipe de Asturias ACB


The Copa Príncipe de Asturias ACB was a basketball tournament played with teams of Liga ACB between 1986 and 1991. The 1985 tournament was called Copa Asociación or Torneo de la ACB. Since the next season to its end, it was called Copa Príncipe de Asturias.

History of the Cup

1985 edition

The first edition of Copa Príncipe de Asturias was played by the eliminated teams in the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals of the 1984–85 ACB season. Caja de Álava won the tournament, which was its first official title in the club history. The final was played in Villanueva de la Serena.
The first round was played between teams eliminated in the Round of 16. The quarterfinalists of Liga ACB joined in the second round. A team would be eliminated if it loses two rounds. If the number of teams in a round was odd, a team would receive a bye to the next round.

1986 edition

This was the first edition with the name of Copa Príncipe de Asturias. Like in the previous season, the tournament was played by the losers in the two first rounds of the 1985–86 ACB season. Teams were divided in two groups of four teams with a double round-robin competition. The two first qualified teams played the semifinals.
Finally, CB Estudiantes achieved the title.
#TeamsWLPFPA
1CB Valladolid42530496
2OAR Ferrol33495498
3RCD Español33518518
4CB Breogán24505536

#TeamsWLPFPA
1CB Estudiantes51594544
2Granollers EB51564533
3Bàsquet Manresa15533565
4Saski Baskonia15557606

1987 edition

The 1986–87 edition was played between the months of October and November 1986. A single round tournament was played. The final was in a neutral venue. In the first time they played the tournament, Joventut Badalona took the victory after defeating Manresa in Vigo and playing only the semifinal game at home.

1988 edition

Like in the last year, the 1987–88 Copa Príncipe was played with a knockout stage format, but in double leg series from September 1987 to April 1988. The Final Four was played in single games at Palma de Mallorca in April 1988. FC Barcelona won its first tournament.

1989 edition

This edition was played between the three first qualified teams of Group A1 and the leader of Group A2 in the 1987–88 ACB season. The Cup was held at Ferrol in a Final Four format in September 1989. This edition was postponed due to the Spanish national basketball team's participation in the 1988 Olympic Games that took place in September 1988. It was ultimately decided to reschedule the tournament to the start of the 1989-90 season. However, from an official standpoint, it was still considered part of the originally intended season: 1988-89.

1990 edition

The format was similar than the 1989 edition and it was held at A Coruña in September 1990. This was the last edition of the Copa Príncipe de Asturias with teams of Liga ACB and Joventut Badalona won its third title.