CSS CSM Petrolul Ploiesti captured the 2025-26 Romanian U18 Men's National Championship on Saturday, dismantling CS Agronomia Bucuresti 89-60 in the final at Politehnica Bucuresti in front of 291 spectators to claim the title after a dominant Final Eight tournament in the capital.
Coach I. Ivan's side were in control from tip to buzzer, racing to a 25-17 first-quarter lead and extending the advantage to 49-35 at halftime. A 15-8 third quarter stretched the cushion to 64-43, and Petrolul closed out the fourth with a 25-17 surge to seal a commanding 29-point victory.
Finals MVP Federico Diaconescu (185-G-2008) led the charge for the champions, while Diaconescu was the catalyst of a balanced offensive attack that saw five players reach double figures. David-Loan Rasoga (187-G/F-2008) orchestrated from the point with a remarkable 16 points, nine rebounds, and a game-high 10 assists, going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line. Federico Diaconescu top-scored with 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting — including six three-pointers — with five assists and four steals. Andrei-Sebastian Ciulin (185-G-2008) added 12 points (5-of-8 FG), Vlad-Alexandru Borcan (188-G-2009) had 11 (5-of-11), and C. Nnamchi came off the bench with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds (six offensive). Octavian Ion (2008) contributed nine points, six rebounds, and two blocks, while Alexandru-Stefan Serban (210-C-2009, agency: BIG) added eight points and eight rebounds.
Petrolul shot 43 percent from the field (31-of-71) and dominated the glass 55-39 — with 23 offensive rebounds generating 17 second-chance points. Their 19 assists reflected the unselfish ball movement that overwhelmed Agronomia throughout.
For Agronomia, coached by M. Sokic, Cezar Camburu (185-G-2008) led with 16 points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting. David Fometescu (182-G-2008) — who was named the tournament's top scorer — had 15 points but shot a painful 3-of-24 from the field, a statline that encapsulated his team's offensive struggles. Mihnea Gae (194-SG-2009) added 12 points and seven rebounds. Agronomia shot just 26 percent overall (17-of-64) and could not overcome the gap in physicality and depth.
Petrolul's path to the final was equally dominant — they crushed ABC Rising Stars Popesti-Leordeni 102-68 in the semifinals. Agronomia had reached the title game with a 70-62 semifinal victory over CSU Stiinta Bucuresti. In the bronze-medal game, Rising Stars beat Stiinta 99-93 in an entertaining contest.