Royal Equestrian Basketball League (REBL)

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
"The Multiverse's Best Semi-Professional Basketball League"

This thread is for the posting of Royal Equestrian Basketball League results and anything else pertaining to the REBL that I deem necessary. Do not post in this thread unless you have received permission from Equestrian States via telegram. Thank you.

League History
Season 1: REBL Season 1
Season 2: REBL Season 2
Season 3: REBL Season 3
Season 4: IUBC XIV Recap | REBL Season 4
Season 5: REBL Season 5
Season 6: REBL Season 6
Season 7: REBL Season 7

IUBC Records
Coming Soon

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 1

Basketball has long been largely ignored in the Equestrian States, with no real history of success - or even participation - in the sport. Outside of some largely unsuccessful runs in the IBC and one (?) appearance at the Olympics, the Equestrian States has never done anything of note when it comes to basketball. While the general public's ignoring of basketball remains likely to continue long into the future, the nation's non-participation in the game's international club level has finally come to an end, with the creation of a brand spanking new semi-professional league that will doubtlessly humiliate itself against superior opponents in the coming days or weeks or months or however long the participating clubs' runs last.

Comprised of just eight teams largely built around the handful of players who have played on the Equestrian States' unremarkable national team, the first season of the Royal Equestrian Basketball League (REBL) kicks off in a blaze of mediocrity! The Seaddle Subsonics, boasting more national team players than any other team in the REBL, stroll to an easy regular season title, losing just 8 games along the way. The Warriors, Indigo, and Victory round out the top four, qualifying for the playoffs (and IUBC). Meanwhile, Ponyville Galaxy BC, a pet project of prolific sports team owner Filthy Rich, narrowly miss out on qualifying by losing their final three games of the season like a bunch of morons. At the bottom of the standings dwell the Reds and Archers, winning just 15 games between themselves.

In the semifinals, a fiercely-contested semifinal between the Seaddle Subsonics and Canterlot Victory goes the distance, with the Subsonics barely beating the Victory 3-2. The other semifinal sees the Indigo curb-stomp a pathetic-looking Warriors team that really shouldn't have bothered showing up. After the Subsonics narrow victory over the Victory, and a one-sided contest between Cloudsdale and Everfree, the handful of supporters who follow the sport expect a tight Championship Series where these two international minnow battle it out to see who will be the biggest fish in a minuscule puddle. Excitement builds as the final hours tick away before the final series begins, the stream reaching a remarkable 821 viewers...

And they're all disappointed as the Seaddle Subsonics absolutely demolish the Indigo in three games.

  REBL                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Seaddle Subsonics        42   34   8  3398 2864 +534    0.810   Playoffs
2 Cloudsdale Warriors      42   28  14  3200 3053 +147    0.667   Playoffs
3 Everfree Indigo          42   28  14  3410 3139 +271    0.667   Playoffs
4 Canterlot Victory        42   25  17  3280 3009 +271    0.595   Playoffs
5 Ponyville Galaxy BC      42   23  19  3237 3152  +85    0.548
6 Manehattan Rebels        42   15  27  3049 3391 −342    0.357
7 Stalliongrad Reds        42    9  33  2909 3450 −541    0.214
8 Appleoosa Archers        42    6  36  3018 3443 −425    0.143

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 79–68 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 60–62 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory 83–77 Seaddle Subsonics
Canterlot Victory 86–89 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 75–73 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-2

#2 Cloudsdale Warriors vs. #3 Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors 67–72 Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors 68–88 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 89–82 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo win series 3-0

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #3 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 84–74 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 72–60 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 75–99 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Seaddle Subsonics
Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors
Canterlot Victory

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 2

Success!

Well, kinda. The Seaddle Subsonics and Everfree Indigo reached the group stages of the IUBC Trophy and MultiverseBasket respectively, and though neither of them advanced to the knockouts, they also didn't totally humiliate themselves despite facing professional opposition. The Indigo even managed to finish third in their group, which REBL's leadership has interpreted as proof that a semi-professional league can succeed internationally. Domestically, with the hosting of the MultiverseBasket Final Four in Canterlot and the non-total-failure of the Equestrian States national team in the IBC, the popularity of basketball has seen a rather sizable bump, much to the delight of REBL's early investors. Finally, an advert sent out to national team players competing in the latest edition of the IBC saw a few foreign players join Equestrian teams for the first time, Qasden's Louis Boxton being the biggest international name to sign with a REBL club.

In addition to adding foreign talent to the league, REBL's leadership approved the expansion of the league to 12 teams, the four new clubs coming from the Equestrian States' northern neighbor: the Crystal Empire. Crystalline clubs will not be expected to do too much this season as basketball has virtually zero exposure in the nation, but it could develop a following quickly as an indoor sport in a country with a rather cold climate. The four new teams are as follows: Crystopolis Lancers, Crystal Springs Stars, SC Whitecrystal, and Sporting Crystal City BC.

The regular season saw the Seaddle Subsonics utterly dominate the league once again, losing just six games the entire season, two fewer than last season despite playing a full 24 additional games. Meanwhile, the Canterlot Victory and Crystopolis Lancers both impressed as well, the Lancers securing third place and a spot in the playoffs in their very first season, a remarkable achievement given their team's young and inexperienced roster. Everfree was something of a disappointment, however, following up their MultiverseBasket run with a dismal fourth place finish in the league, an underwhelming display after being predicted to contend with Seaddle for the regular season title. The Cloudsdale Warriors were even more of a disappointment, missing the playoffs entirely after finishing second in the league last season, their semifinals sweep at the hooves of the Indigo still seeming to haunt them. The Crystal Springs Stars claimed the final IUBC berth by virtue of their sixth place finish, the second-best among the Crystalline clubs in the REBL. Elsewhere, the Manehattan Rebels and Ponyville Galaxy BC were disappointed to miss out on IUBC play once again despite adding foreign talent to their rosters. At the bottom of the standings Appleoosa, Crystal City, Stalliongrad, and Whitecrystal all failed to make any sort of positive mark on the league, which left the Reds struggling financially in addition to their on-court woes, leading to speculation that they might not be back next season.

In the first semifinal, the Seaddle Subsonics took on the Everfree Indigo, a meeting of the two Equestrian teams that reached the IUBC group stages and a rematch of last season's Championship Series. Expectations were high for the Subsonics after their commanding regular season performance, but fans were left stunned when the Indigo came to Seaddle and took the first two games of the series on the road, opening the door for a possible shocking reversal of last year's Championship Series sweep by the Subsonics. However, the Subsonics rebounded, taking the two games in Everfree and returned home to complete the comeback and secure their second consecutive berth in the Championship Series. Meanwhile, the other semifinal would also go the distance as the Lancers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a decisive Game 5, but fell just short of duplicating the Subsonics feat as the Canterlot Victory finally finished them off and claim the Championship Series spot.

The stage was set for a thrilling Championship Series as the Subsonics and Victory, the REBL's two best regular season teams going head-to-head for the REBL Championship Trophy. After getting hammered in the opening game, Canterlot rallied to take a 2-1 series lead and entered Game 4 with a chance to claim the title with a win on their home court. But the Subsonics' championship mettle shone through with a dominant 19-point victory to force yet another decisive Game 5. The final game was a hard-fought battle, both teams exchanging leads throughout the game; but in the end it was Seaddle that held the lead when the final buzzer sounded. The Seaddle Subsonics were champions of the REBL for the second straight season.

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   60   6  5712 4241 +1471    0.909   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Canterlot Victory             66   51  15  5533 4667  +866    0.773   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Crystopolis Lancers           66   48  18  5191 4628  +563    0.727   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 4 Everfree Indigo               66   43  23  5319 4765  +554    0.652   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 5 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   39  27  5151 4905  +246    0.591   IUBC (EQS)
 6 Crystal Springs Stars         66   35  31  5018 4889  +129    0.530   IUBC (CRY)
 7 Manehattan Rebels             66   32  34  4867 4987  −120    0.485
 8 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   31  35  4955 4952    +3    0.470
 9 Appleoosa Archers             66   17  49  4772 5290  −518    0.258
10 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   16  50  4602 5514  −912    0.242
11 Stalliongrad Reds             66   13  53  4398 5498 −1100    0.197
12 SC Whitecrystal               66   11  55  4473 5655 −1182    0.167

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 66–78 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 48–66 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 68–86 Seaddle Subsonics
Everfree Indigo 69–79 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 76–66 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-2

#2 Canterlot Victory vs. #3 Crystopolis Lancers
Canterlot Victory 86–68 Crystopolis Lancers
Canterlot Victory 90–58 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 88–62 Canterlot Victory
Crystopolis Lancers 71–63 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory 91–84 Crystopolis Lancers
Canterlot Victory win series 3-2

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #2 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 76–59 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 77–82 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory 81–76 Seaddle Subsonics
Canterlot Victory 63–82 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 78–73 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-2

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Seaddle Subsonics
Canterlot Victory
Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestrian States
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 3

The best semi-professional basketball league in Southwestern Atlantian Oceania is back, baby!

Once again, the Seaddle Subsonics and Everfree Indigo excelled in the IUBC, at least by Equestrian standards, reaching the tournament's second round before bowing out of the competition. The Indigo lost just once in group play, proving that their appearance in the group stage of the final MultiverseBracket last season wasn't just some random fluke; meanwhile, the Subsonics only lost by 12 against the Valanari Highlanders, the smallest margin of defeat for any of the teams the Highlanders beat en route to claiming the title. We would be remiss to neglect mentioning the Crystopolis Lancers as well, the Crystalline newcomers to the IUBC reached the group stage in their first ever outing, a remarkable feat. Once more, the REBL's leadership has claimed victory for the Equestrian States on the international stage. Soon they might even claim the title of being the best semi-professional basketball league in Atlantian Oceania, not just the Glorious Southwest!

For the third straight year, the Seaddle Subsonics were the toast of the regular season, dominating the league despite losing twice as many games as they did last year. Outside of the top spot, very little changed in the final standings from last season, with the Canterlot Victory and Crystopolis Lancers switching positions in the table and the Indigo once again finishing fourth, unable to translate their impressive IUBC season to REBL play. Meanwhile, the Cloudsdale Warriors continued to tumble, finishing seventh behind both the Crystal Springs Stars and Ponyville Galaxy BC to miss out on next season's IUBC entirely despite contributions from their foreign internationals. For Galaxy owner Filthy Rich, his rather grand investments in his team paid dividends as they claimed the final Equestrian IUBC spot by a margin of three games. The Manehattan Rebels were also a disappointment as they finished with a losing record, indicating that their young home-grown roster still has a ways to go before they're ready to contend for the playoffs. At the bottom of the standings Appleoosa, Crystal City, Stalliongrad, and Whitecrystal all failed to make any sort of positive impression, the Reds in particular continuing to struggle on the court and in their purse. There's a decent chance that they'll be sold or contracted before next season.

In the playoffs, the Seaddle Subsonics took on the Everfree Indigo in the first semifinal for the second straight season, a meeting of the two Equestrian teams that reached the IUBC knockout rounds and the league's fiercest emerging rivalry. Expectations for a hotly-contested semifinal were high, but neutral fans were ultimately let down as the Subsonics absolutely hammered the Indigo, sweeping them in three games to reach the Championship Series without breaking a sweat. Hopefully the Indigo will rebound before their IUBC campaign kicks off. Meanwhile, the other semifinal, also a rematch of last year's semifinals, went the distance as the road teams won every single game in the series, the Victory claiming - well - victory off a last-second buzzer beater to stun the Crystopolis crowd.

A rematch of last year's Championship Series between the Subsonics and Victory was set, two of the most talented semi-professional teams in the Equestrian States battling for the headlines on the sixth page of the local newspaper. The teams split the first two games in Seaddle and went to Canterlot tied 1-1, but it was there that Seaddle once again proved their championship caliber, claiming the next two games to clinch their third consecutive league title, a true dynasty by any standard; granted, a dynasty as notable as a third-world Esportivan country's royal lineage, but a dynasty nonetheless.

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   54  12  5584 4413 +1171    0.818   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Crystopolis Lancers           66   49  17  5446 4708  +738    0.742   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 3 Canterlot Victory             66   49  17  5390 4705  +685    0.742   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 4 Everfree Indigo               66   46  20  5404 4732  +672    0.697   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 5 Crystal Springs Stars         66   38  28  4954 4843  +111    0.576   IUBC (CRY)
 6 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   38  28  4962 4882   +80    0.576   IUBC (EQS)
 7 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   35  31  5087 4965  +122    0.530
 8 Manehattan Rebels             66   29  37  4784 5107  −323    0.439
 9 Appleoosa Archers             66   23  43  4713 5145  −432    0.348
10 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   17  49  4722 5323  −601    0.258
11 Stalliongrad Reds             66   11  55  4599 5452  −853    0.167
12 SC Whitecrystal               66    7  59  4298 5668 −1370    0.106

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 93–68 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 78–60 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 68–100 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

#2 Crystopolis Lancers vs. #3 Canterlot Victory
Crystopolis Lancers 70–102 Canterlot Victory
Crystopolis Lancers 67–80 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory 68–79 Crystopolis Lancers
Canterlot Victory 77–80 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 73–74 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory win series 3-2

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #3 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 74–62 Canterlot Victory
Seaddle Subsonics 77–82 Canterlot Victory
Canterlot Victory 71–81 Seaddle Subsonics
Canterlot Victory 72–80 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-1

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Seaddle Subsonics
Canterlot Victory
Everfree Indigo
Ponyville Galaxy BC

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestrian States
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
IUBC XIV Recap

So that was a thing that happened.

To the stunned disbelief of the multiverse, the REBL sent not one, not two, but three teams all the way to the IUBC semifinals, the Equestrian States thus becoming the first nation to ever send that many teams so deep in the tournament. Yes, really, the REBL has somehow become a international record-setting league for something other than pitifully small attendance.

The Ponyville Galaxy were the only Equestrian IUBC entrant to miss out on the IUBC knockouts, finishing at the bottom of Group C to nobody's surprise. Meanwhile, the Crystal Empire's two teams performed respectably for an international basketball minnow, the Crystopolis Lancers reaching the group stage and missing out a second round berth by a mere two points after finishing in a three-way tie for Group B's top spot. The Crystal Springs Stars were narrowly eliminated in the Qualifying Round by Filindostani side Venividicci, who would go on to reach the group stage before being eliminated themselves. But the real stars of the show were the three eventual semifinalists. The Everfree Indigo and Seaddle Subsonics both finished atop their respective groups after enjoying relatively easy draws, avoiding any heavyweights from the multiverse's top leagues. However, the Canterlot Victory weren't quite so lucky, drawn into Group E with Taeshan's Los Riosa Ravens and Valladar giants Carloburgo Knights, but somehow managed to escape in second behind the Knights, even managing to beat the eventual tournament champions when they paid a visit to Canterlot.

In the second round, the Indigo and Subsonics' runs of easy draws continued and they easily dispatched the Uranai Déesses and Scott City Phoenix respectively to become the first Equestrian teams to reach the IUBC quarterfinals. The Canterlot Victory's rotten luck also held out, getting drawn against the reigning IUBC champions, the Valanari Highlanders, but went to Ismart Anetta Coliseum and came out with a win. Canterlot then claimed yet another top-ranked scalp from Pridnestrovian side BC Admiral Novorossiysk in the quarterfinals on a last-second buzzer-beater while Seaddle and Everfree took down the Rinaldi Golden Hurricane and Fortunas respectively to punch their own tickets to the semifinals. In the semifinals, the Subsonics and Carloburgo Knights put on an incredible show that the Knights eventually won, while the Indigo finally ended the Victory's stunning run to become the first Equestrian side to reach an international club final in any sport. Thus, the stage was set for an epic finale, a true underdog tale playing out before the eyes of the multiverse. Would the Everfree Indigo defy all odds to become the semi-professional champions of the world?

lolno. They got fuckin' smashed 76-57, and that was probably a generous result.

Still, despite the Indigo's total humiliation in the IUBC Final, the REBL's leadership couldn't have dreamed of a better outing for the league's teams. The Seaddle Subsonics blasted the Canterlot Victory 75-57 to claim third place and the Equestrian States moved into the top ten on the IUBC association rankings. What was once a little-known semi-professional league was suddenly a reasonably-well-known semi-professional league. Public interest in basketball back in the Equestrian States was on the rise as sports fans finally acknowledged the REBL's existence. Excitement for the upcoming season was at an all time high of "That's a thing? Neat." as opposed the usual "What's basketball?", a clear step in the right direction from the REBL's perspective.

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 4

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   59   7  5617 4395 +1222    0.894   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Canterlot Victory             66   50  16  5453 4737  +716    0.758   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Everfree Indigo               66   50  16  5357 4738  +619    0.758   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 4 Crystopolis Lancers           66   45  21  5298 4643  +655    0.682   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 5 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   44  22  5204 4681  +523    0.667   IUBC (EQS)
 6 Crystal Springs Stars         66   32  34  5006 4995   +11    0.485   IUBC (CRY)
 7 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   32  34  4993 5014   −21    0.485
 8 Manehattan Rebels             66   27  39  4932 5083  −151    0.409
 9 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   19  47  4510 5282  −772    0.288
10 Appleoosa Archers             66   19  47  4578 5247  −669    0.288
11 Stalliongrad Diamonds         66   10  56  4544 5500  −956    0.152
12 SC Whitecrystal               66    9  57  4421 5598 −1177    0.136

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Crystopolis Lancers
Seaddle Subsonics 84–63 Crystopolis Lancers
Seaddle Subsonics 62–58 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 61–83 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

#2 Canterlot Victory vs. #3 Everfree Indigo
Canterlot Victory 62–84 Everfree Indigo
Canterlot Victory 69–80 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 88–83 Canterlot Victory
Everfree Indigo win series 3-0

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #3 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 91–65 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 96–74 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 75–85 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Seaddle Subsonics
Everfree Indigo
Canterlot Victory
Cloudsdale Warriors

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestrian States
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 5

Holy shit, they actually did it. They actually fucking did it. The Seaddle Subsonics won the IUBC Trophy!

So, how did a semi-professional basketball team from a nation with no history of sustained success at the international level manage to win the title of "best team in the multiverse" over some of the multiverse's actual best teams? It's quite simple, actually: they cheated.

After successfully hosting the last International Basketball Championships and sending three of its teams to the semifinals of the IUBC, the leadership of REBL made a push to attract some of the multiverse's top players to the shores of Equestria. To everypony's surprise, they actually succeeded. Players like Rakim Roberts, Allison Dubois, Moe Carter, and more than a couple others were somehow enticed into signing with REBL clubs. Now, while REBL would remain strictly semi-professional, it boasted the talent of a league that pays far more than a just livable part-time wage.

The new signings helped five of the league's six IUBC entrants reach the group stage of the competition, only the Cloudsdale Warriors failing to make the final cut. From there, Seaddle and Everfree were predictably great, powering through to the playoffs without too much difficulty, joined by Crystopolis and Crystal Springs in the knockouts, though the latter came at the expense of the Canterlot Victory, who were one of three Equestrian sides in the previous edition's semifinals. The Crystalline teams bowed out in the second round, putting up a good fight but falling short, while the Subsonics and Indigo were just getting started, smashing their way through every team in sight until only they remained in the IUBC Final. It was an incredible game as the two Equestrian rivals duked it out on the court for the honor of lifting the IUBC Trophy. When the final buzzer sounded, the Subsonics emerged with a 76-74 victory and a title that would've seemed impossible just a few short years ago.

With the IUBC Trophy in tow, the Seaddle Subsonics returned home to the Equestrian States and quickly went to work dominating the league. Seaddle finished with an unbelievable 62-4 record, the best ever in REBL's short history. Two-time IUBC runners-up Everfree Indigo also set a franchise-best record, cruising to an easy second place finish in the regular season. Of course, this might not have been the best thing as they're developing a reputation for finishing second in literally every competition. The Crystopolis Lancers remained the top Crystalline club with a third place finish, new foreign signings Noah Pantin and Jiao Xiaopeng playing a not insignificant role in returning to the playoffs and actually drawing some local attention to the league. Finally, the Cloudsdale Warriors edged out the Canterlot Victory for the fourth and final spot in the postseason, the latter hugely disappointed by their lack of success this season while the former's investment in local talent supplemented by foreign stars Jared Filsen and George Walongo paid off big time.

In the playoffs, the Subsonics were widely expected to sweep past the Warriors to the REBL Championship Series for the fifth-straight season, so when Seaddle took a 2-0 series lead, everyone assumed that it was all over. But it wasn't. Cloudsdale stormed back at home to tie the series 2-2, taking the semifinal to a decisive Game 5 in Seaddle. The Subsonics were confident in their talent, after all, they'd just won the IUBC title and dominated the regular season like no team ever had before. Would a team that lost just four games in the regular season really lose three straight here? Yup! Jared Filsen dunked all over the Subsonics and sent the defending champions crashing out. Meanwhile, in the other semifinal, the Everfree Indigo cruised to a comfortable 3-1 series win over the Crystopolis Lancers. The Indigo had to feel confident going into the Championship Series. They were finally up against a team that wasn't a global heavyweight with a title on the line. Surely this was their time to shine and finally claim a title?

Nope! They got hilariously swept by the Cloudsdale Warriors in three games like a bunch of scrubs, thus perpetuating the "lol Indigo" memes for at least another season.

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   62   4  5575 4332 +1243    0.939   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Everfree Indigo               66   53  13  5562 4488 +1074    0.803   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Crystopolis Lancers           66   44  22  5231 4832  +399    0.667   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 4 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   43  23  5191 4706  +485    0.652   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 5 Canterlot Victory             66   42  24  5232 4976  +256    0.636   IUBC (EQS)
 6 Crystal Springs Stars         66   34  32  4964 5008   −44    0.515   IUBC (CRY)
 7 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   27  39  5015 5128  −113    0.409
 8 Manehattan Rebels             66   26  40  4890 5221  −331    0.394
 9 Stalliongrad Diamonds         66   19  47  4586 5260  −674    0.288
10 Appleoosa Archers             66   17  49  4672 5354  −682    0.258
11 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   17  49  4595 5364  −769    0.258
12 SC Whitecrystal               66   12  54  4618 5462  −844    0.182

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 70–62 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 82–71 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 84–83 Seaddle Subsonics
Cloudsdale Warriors 84–74 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 73–90 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors win series 3-2

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #3 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 84–75 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 55–64 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 66–79 Everfree Indigo
Crystopolis Lancers 67–68 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo win series 3-1

REBL Championship Series

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #4 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 62–73 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 66–73 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 60–59 Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors win series 3-0

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics (IUBC Trophy titleholders)
Canterlot Victory

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestrian States
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 6

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   56  10  5585 4465 +1120    0.848   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Everfree Indigo               66   56  10  5666 4569 +1097    0.848   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Crystopolis Lancers           66   45  21  5279 4786  +493    0.682   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 4 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   43  23  5231 4866  +365    0.652   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 5 Crystal Springs Stars         66   40  26  5104 4926  +178    0.606   IUBC (CRY)
 6 Canterlot Victory             66   33  33  5058 4882  +176    0.500   IUBC (EQS)
 7 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   33  33  5070 5068    +2    0.500
 8 Manehattan Rebels             66   30  36  4882 5039  −157    0.455
 9 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   19  47  4621 5375  −754    0.288
10 Appleoosa Archers             66   19  47  4767 5282  −515    0.288
11 Stalliongrad Diamonds         66   13  53  4545 5585 −1040    0.197
12 SC Whitecrystal               66    9  57  4477 5442  −965    0.136

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 73–57 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 72–71 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 66–81 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #3 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 84–76 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 96–68 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 84–90 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo win series 3-0

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #2 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 82–92 Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics 83–68 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 68–81 Seaddle Subsonics
Everfree Indigo 81–74 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 75–75 Everfree Indigo (81–85 OT)
Everfree Indigo win series 3-2

---

Equestrian States (EQS) qualifiers
Everfree Indigo
Seaddle Subsonics
Cloudsdale Warriors
Canterlot Victory

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestrian States
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 7

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             66   60   6  5722 4489 +1233    0.909   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Everfree Indigo               66   59   7  5502 4447 +1055    0.894   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Cloudsdale Warriors           66   47  19  5312 4673  +639    0.712   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 4 Crystopolis Lancers           66   46  20  5324 4721  +603    0.697   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 5 Canterlot Victory             66   37  29  5098 4963  +135    0.561   IUBC (EQS)
 6 Crystal Springs Stars         66   30  36  4893 4988   −95    0.455   IUBC (CRY)
 7 Ponyville Galaxy BC           66   27  39  4903 5149  −246    0.409
 8 Manehattan Rebels             66   22  44  4738 5157  −419    0.333
 9 Sporting Crystal City BC      66   19  47  4634 5227  −593    0.288
10 Appleoosa Archers             66   19  47  4705 5230  −525    0.288
11 Stalliongrad Diamonds         66   16  50  4609 5375  −766    0.242
12 SC Whitecrystal               66   14  52  4520 5541 −1021    0.212

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Crystopolis Lancers
Seaddle Subsonics 85–73 Crystopolis Lancers
Seaddle Subsonics 70–66 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 89–114 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics win series 3-0

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #3 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 76–82 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 78–85 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 67–82 Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors 53–69 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 76–85 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors win series 3-2

REBL Championship Series

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #3 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 76–62 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 72–68 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 91–70 Seaddle Subsonics
Cloudsdale Warriors 91–82 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 56–79 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors win series 3-2

---

Equestria (EQS) qualifiers
Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics
Everfree Indigo
Canterlot Victory

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestria
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Sporting Crystal City BC]

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
IUBC XVIII Recap

Following the conclusion of the Royal Equestrian Basketball League's seventh season, which saw the Cloudsdale Warriors rally from a 2-0 deficit in the REBL Championship Series to defeat the Seaddle Subsonics and claim their second league title, some might have hoped that the Subsonics' reign as the REBL's top team might finally be at its end. However, the IUBC would almost immediately bring such futile dreams crashing back down to reality, with the Canterlot Victory, Crystal Springs Stars, and even two-time IUBC runners-up Everfree Indigo sent packing their bags in the playoff round.

This left Cloudsdale, Seaddle, and Crystopolis as the REBL's only representatives in the group stage, the fewest sent by the league to the group stage of the competition in five seasons. The Warriors, despite winning the REBL title, promptly upheld their reputation as chokers in the IUBC by being eliminated in group play once again. Fortunately, Crystopolis and Seaddle's performances were also in keeping with their own reputations as members of the IUBC elite, finishing 5-1 and 6-0 respectively atop their own groups.

In the second round, the Lancers were tasked with the relatively easy task of defeating Pridnestrovian runners-up BC CSKA Tiraspol, which they completed without so much as breaking a sweat, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 92–58 victory. The Subsonics were not quite so lucky with their own second round match-up, drawing the defending IUBC champion Carloburgo Knights of Valladares. Although the Knights and Subsonics have been two of the IUBC's best teams in the last six seasons, it would only be their second meeting in that time, the first coming in a famous IUBC XIV semifinal which saw Carloburgo narrowly defeat Seaddle 62–63 en route to their second IUBC title. The fans at Bearden's Metropolitan Pyramid in Xanneria were not to be disappointed as the two IUBC titans put on another excellent show, but in the end, it was the Subsonics who staved off a ferocious late rally by the Knights to keep their campaign alive with a 82–79 win.

The quarterfinals would witness the two surviving REBL sides take on the two remaining representatives of the Darmeni Basketball League: Seaddle against the Leicester Square Riders, and Crystopolis against DBL winners Scott City Phoenix. After eliminating the defending champions in the second round, the Subsonics entered their game brimming with confidence and easily swatted aside the Riders.

Qualifying Round
Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)             91–69     Szentgyörgyvölgy Timberwolves (RTS)
Canterlot Victory (EQS)                 72–64              Vallesur Corinthians (SRX)
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                   64–59                             Titih (PCU)

Playoff Round
Canterlot Victory (EQS)                 59–68                Perotapam Massakar (FID)
Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)             70–78                  Elder Harvesters (QAD)
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                   68–74           Ouleux-Aminey Sapphires (KOR)

  Group Stage - Group B         Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %    Ftn     BCT     ClW     LiB 
1 Fortunas (FID)                  6   5  1  469 408  +61    0.833     —     86–80   92–60   80–67
2 BC CSKA Tiraspol (PDN)          6   4  2  463 423  +40    0.667   74–65     —     76–68   60–73
3 Cloudsdale Warriors (EQS)       6   2  4  401 476  -75    0.333   61–69   64–96     —     83–81
4 Libertas Basketball (LIS)       6   1  5  416 442  -26    0.167   66–77   67–77   62–65     —  

  Group Stage - Group E         Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %    SeS     Vvd     ElH     PeS 
1 Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)         6   6  0  520 369 +151    1.000     —     90–67   88–64   76–53
2 Venividicci (FID)               6   4  2  443 440   +3    0.667   63–77     —     79–78   67–61
3 Elder Harvesters (QAD)          6   1  5  427 513  -86    0.167   58–101  63–84     —     84–65
4 Pearlham Shamrockers (XAN)      6   1  5  410 478  -68    0.167   64–88   71–83   96–80     —  

  Group Stage - Group G         Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %    CrL     RCM     Jat     QCC 
1 Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)       6   5  1  477 410  +67    0.833     —     79–78   84–58   93–66
2 Raynor City Monarchs (VAL)      6   4  2  468 386  +82    0.667   72–77     —     78–60   83–48
3 Jati (PCU)                      6   2  4  410 469  -59    0.333   70–67   57–83     —     86–87
4 Qad City Capillaries (QAD)      6   1  5  402 492  -90    0.167   66–77   65–74   70–79     —  

Round of 16
Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)               82–79              Carloburgo Knights (VLD)
Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)             92–58                BC CSKA Tiraspol (PDN)

Quarterfinals
Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)               83–67         Leicester Square Riders (DAR)
Scott City Phoenix (DAR)              73–70             Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)

Semifinals
Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)               75–69              Scott City Phoenix (DAR)

5th Place Semifinals
Leicester Square Riders (DAR)         73–58             Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)

7th Place Playoff
Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)             93–91                        Fortunas (FID)

IUBC XVIII Final
Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)        72–67     Valanari Highlanders (VAL)

[Equestrian States]

Royal Equestrian Basketball League
Season 8

   REBL                         Pld    W   L    PF   PA    PD    Win %
 1 Seaddle Subsonics             60   52   8  4987 4080  +907    0.867   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 2 Everfree Indigo               60   52   8  5012 4145  +867    0.867   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 3 Crystopolis Lancers           60   42  18  4857 4177  +680    0.700   Playoffs, IUBC (CRY)
 4 Cloudsdale Warriors           60   41  19  4747 4269  +478    0.683   Playoffs, IUBC (EQS)
 5 Crystal Springs Stars         60   40  20  4750 4370  +380    0.667   IUBC (CRY)
 6 Canterlot Victory             60   39  21  4802 4310  +492    0.650   IUBC (EQS)
 7 Manehattan Flames             60   35  25  4699 4558  +141    0.583
 8 Royal Canterlot BC            60   27  33  4488 4600  −112    0.450
 9 Ponyville Galaxy BC           60   27  33  4543 4633   −90    0.450
10 Stalliongrad Diamonds         60   25  35  4506 4642  −136    0.417
11 Crystopolis Crowns            60   25  35  4456 4700  −244    0.417
12 Maritime Manehattan           60   21  39  4336 4834  −498    0.350
13 Appleoosa Archers             60   17  43  4238 4831  −593    0.283
14 Sporting Crystal City BC      60   17  43  4316 4821  −505    0.283
15 SC Whitecrystal               60   11  49  4180 4984  −804    0.183
16 Crystal Fair BC               60    9  51  4067 5030  −963    0.150

REBL Semifinals

#1 Seaddle Subsonics vs. #4 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 60–67 Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics 56–53 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 59–68 Seaddle Subsonics
Cloudsdale Warriors 89–69 Seaddle Subsonics
Seaddle Subsonics 77–82 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors win series 3-2

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #3 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 67–60 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo 67–85 Crystopolis Lancers
Crystopolis Lancers 79–73 Everfree Indigo
Crystopolis Lancers 70–77 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo 75–72 Crystopolis Lancers
Everfree Indigo win series 3-2

REBL Championship Series

#2 Everfree Indigo vs. #4 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 96–59 Cloudsdale Warriors
Everfree Indigo 74–71 Cloudsdale Warriors
Cloudsdale Warriors 77–90 Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors 69–92 Everfree Indigo
Everfree Indigo win series 4-0

---

Equestria (EQS) qualifiers
Everfree Indigo
Cloudsdale Warriors
Seaddle Subsonics (IUBC Trophy titleholders)
Canterlot Victory

Crystal Empire (CRY) qualifiers
Puppet of Equestria
Crystopolis Lancers
Crystal Springs Stars
[Crystopolis Crowns]

[Equestrian States]

OOC Note: The following is a work-in-progress

---

Since the beginning of the so-called "Filindostan Era" seven seasons ago, the IUBC Trophy has been almost completely dominated by three teams: the Carloburgo Knights of Valladares' Liga Superior de Baloncesto, the Valanari Highlanders of Valanora's Elven Basketball Association, and the Seaddle Subsonics of the Royal Equestrian Basketball League. In that time span, they've collectively won every edition of the IUBC. Just three other teams have even reached the IUBC Final in that time before losing to the "Triumvirate" by an average of 16.5 points in four appearances. Thus, when the 19th edition of the IUBC began, the first question on everyone's mind was: "Is this the tournament where the Triumvirate would finally be dethroned?"

The Carloburgo Knights had slipped down the rankings after being eliminated in the second round at IUBC XVIII, but cruised to yet another easy LSB title. The Valanari Highlanders were denied the latest EBA championship by the Capri Firebirds, but didn't lose a single game at IUBC XVIII until the final against Seaddle and were sure to be among the favorites once again. And the Seaddle Subsonics? The Subsonics were perfect all the way through the last IUBC and emerged with their second title, but had recently been upset by the Cloudsdale Warriors in the REBL Playoffs for the second straight year. All in all, the Knights and Highlanders didn't look nearly as invincible anymore, and Seaddle was faced with the daunting challenge of becoming the first team to defend the IUBC title since Civil Citizenry's mighty Trewich Urbanites won the first two editions. Still, the smart money, it was said, was on the Triumvirate retaining the IUBC Trophy for the eighth-consecutive year.

---

The Canterlot Victory were the first REBL side to enter the newly-expanded IUBC qualifying rounds, beginning their campaign in the first qualifying round against NKBL runners-up Coffs. Although the Victory played horrendously on defense, their offense, buoyed by a XX-point performance from <Player>, dragged the Victory into the next round to live another day. Now in their fifth season since reaching the IUBC XIV Final Four, the Victory seem a shadow of their former selves, having fallen short of the IUBC playoffs every season since, and have failed to even make it to group play since IUBC XV; a far cry from what one might expect out of one of Equestria's perennial elite.

-
FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Coffs (NWK)                             90–99                 Canterlot Victory (EQS)
-

---

In the second qualifying round, the Crystal Springs Stars joined the competition, and cruised to a comfortable 79-64 win against Szczakowianka Trzebiegoszcz of Terre Septentrionale. After falling in the playoff round to the Elder Harvesters of Qasden and missing out on the REBL Playoffs by one game, the Stars looked like a team on a mission; with a young lineup headlined by Equestrian international Velvet Crowe, led by their ascendant coach Summer Melody, Crystal Springs never gave Szczakowianka Trzebiegoszcz a chance. Meanwhile, the Canterlot Victory were not faring near as well against Jazz de Jacques-Cartier, also of Terre Septentrionale, trailing for much of the game until Scarlet Blade nailed four straight three-pointers with just over a minute left to put the Victory in front and through to the playoff round of qualifying.

-
SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND
Jazz de Jacques-Cartier (RTS)           76–78                 Canterlot Victory (EQS)
Szczakowianka Trzebiegoszcz (RTS)       64–79             Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)
-

---

The Cloudsdale Warriors, REBL runners-up, were the final team to enter the IUBC's preliminary round, and were immediately given the unenviable task of defeating the Raynor City Monarchs of neighboring Valanora's vaunted EBA, one of the only Vanorian sides capable of routinely challenging the mighty Valanari Highlanders for their league's title. A regular in the IUBC Trophy Playoffs, the Monarchs were arguably the worst possible draw for the Warriors. However, Cloudsdale came out of their locker room buzzing with energy, perhaps still a bit irritated after being swept in the REBL Championship Series by the Everfree Indigo, and quickly built a 13-0 lead before Raynor City even got on the scoreboard. From there it was smooth flying for the Warriors, who never let the Monarchs back into the contest, wrapping up an incredible 27-point victory over one of the multiverse's better teams and sealing their place in the group stage.

Elsewhere, the two earlier IUBC entrants from the REBL were paired against each other, depriving the league once again of its chance to send all six qualifiers to the IUBC group stage. After watching three REBL teams crash out in the playoff round at IUBC XVIII, however, the league's administration may well have taken solace that such an embarrassment would not be repeated a second-consecutive season. In the end, it was the Crystal Springs Stars who made their return to the group stage with a surprisingly one-sided 78-53 win against the one-time IUBC semifinalists. The Canterlot Victory's international drought would continue at least one more season as dismayed fans could only shrug and sigh "there's always next year."

-
PLAYOFF ROUND
Canterlot Victory (EQS)                 53–78             Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)
Cloudsdale Warriors (EQS)               84–57              Raynor City Monarchs (VAL)
-

---

Group Stage Previews

Group B: Domination by Lancers, one close call. Improving on recent performances.

-
  GROUP STAGE - Group B           Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %         CrL     UCN     TCT     Tvn 
1 Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)         6   6  0  468 388  +80    1.000   Q      —     67–66   90–77   73–61
2 Uranium City Nukes (AFT)          6   2  4  456 448   +8    0.333   Q    66–78     —     60–81  102–78
3 T.V. City Tabbies (QAD)           6   2  4  469 485  −16    0.333   E    66–78   73–72     —     97–98
4 Trevona BC (DCA)                  6   2  4  447 519  −72    0.333   E    52–82   71–90   87–75     —
  Uranium City (+21) ahead of TV City (+9) and Trevona BC (−30) on head-to-head point difference
-

Group C: Cloudsdale Warriors' struggles to reach the playoffs continue in agonizing fashion, out on goal-difference by slimmest of margins to Knights.

-
  GROUP STAGE - Group C           Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %         BOL     CaK     ClW     ATo 
1 BC Olympia Lerna (LIS)            6   4  2  494 476  +18    0.667   Q      —     78–71   95–82   72–79
2 Carloburgo Knights (VLD)          6   3  3  469 464   +5    0.500   Q    85–88     —     75–76   72–59
3 Cloudsdale Warriors (EQS)         6   3  3  464 460   +4    0.500   E    91–77   81–83     —     65–59
4 Ancient Tomb (KGS)                6   2  4  418 445  −27    0.333   E    68–84   82–83   71–69     —
  Carloburgo (+1) ahead of Cloudsdale (−1) on head-to-head point difference
-

Group G: Reigning champions a bit sloppy, but good enough to go through.

-
  GROUP STAGE - Group G           Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %         MaB     SeS     RHB     TTo 
1 Mayara Blues (KOR)                6   5  1  468 436  +32    0.833   Q      —     83–80   79–61   82–69
2 Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)           6   4  2  516 446  +70    0.667   Q    88–71     —     79–85   95–61
3 Real Haritzaga Baloncesto (AFT)   6   2  4  419 470  −51    0.333   E    73–78   69–87     —     73–68
4 Treslip Tornadoes (JEC)           6   1  5  419 470  −51    0.167   E    65–75   77–87   79–58     —
-

Group H: REBL showdown, Everfree back with a vengeance after playoff round exit, remain red-hot after sweeping Warriors for REBL title.

-
  GROUP STAGE - Group H           Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %         EvI     CSS     SML     LRR 
1 Everfree Indigo (EQS)             6   6  0  512 381 +131    1.000   Q      —     98–67   68–58   74–59
2 Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)       6   3  3  449 493  −44    0.500   Q    62–95     —     82–80   68–82
3 Seri Meranti Laker (SHT)          6   2  4  434 444  −10    0.333   E    72–93   67–94     —     76–53
4 Los Riosa Ravens (TAE)            6   1  5  382 459  −77    0.167   E    63–84   71–76   54–81     —
-

Group Stage: Final Thoughts & Playoff Seeding. Four REBLs remain.

-
   IUBC PLAYOFFS - Seeding         Pld   W  L   PF  PA   PD    Win %
 1 Everfree Indigo (EQS)             6   6  0  512 381 +131    1.000    Group H Winners
 2 Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)         6   6  0  468 388  +80    1.000    Group B Winners
 3 BC CSKA Tiraspol (PDN)            6   5  1  528 434  +94    0.833    Group F Winners
 4 Fortunas (FID)                    6   5  1  470 392  +78    0.833    Group D Winners
 5 Venividicci (FID)                 6   5  1  530 458  +72    0.833    Group A Winners
 6 Perokojak Kota Jakulta (FID)      6   5  1  488 424  +64    0.833    Group E Winners
 7 Mayara Blues (KOR)                6   5  1  468 436  +32    0.833    Group G Winners
 8 BC Olympia Lerna (LIS)            6   4  2  494 476  +18    0.667    Group C Winners
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
 9 Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)           6   4  2  516 446  +70    0.667    Group G Runners-up
10 Scott City Phoenix (DAR)          6   4  2  477 432  +45    0.667    Group E Runners-up
11 BC Dinamo Bender (PDN)            6   4  2  455 442  +13    0.667    Group D Runners-up
12 Valanari Highlanders (VAL)        6   4  2  476 470   +6    0.667    Group F Runners-up
13 Leicester Square Riders (DAR)     6   3  3  499 481  +18    0.500    Group A Runners-up
14 Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)       6   3  3  449 493  −44    0.500 *  Group H Runners-up
15 Carloburgo Knights (VLD)          6   3  3  469 464   +5    0.500 *  Group C Runners-up
16 Uranium City Nukes (AFT)          6   2  4  456 448   +8    0.333    Group B Runners-up
   Crystal Springs and Carloburgo switched to avoid same nation match-up (CRY)
-

---

Ro16: Everfree finally challenged, but win on a buzzer-beater. Subsonics and Stars the lower seeds, but thrash opponents soundly. Lancers and Knights in the best fixture of the round, Lancers victorious after holding off late rally.

-
ROUND OF 16
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                 78–77              Uranium City Nukes (AFT)
BC Olympia Lerna (LIS)                67–82               Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)
BC CSKA Tiraspol (PDN)                61–84           Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)
Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)             75–72              Carloburgo Knights (VLD)
-

---

QF: After escaping the Knights, Lancers pummel Blues. Stars and Dinamo Bender in slugfest, Stars get late lead and cling to it. Everfree vs. Seaddle AGAIN.

-
QUARTERFINALS
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                 78–79               Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)
Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)           95–91                BC Dinamo Bender (PDN)
Mayara Blues (KOR)                    55–90             Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)
-

---

SF: Rematch of IUBC XVIII Final, triumvirate showdown between Subsonics and Highlanders, Seaddle prevails. All-Crystalline affair ensures Crystal Empire its first Final appearance, easy win for Lancers, set date with Subsonics in DCA. Hype up. Subsonics 14-3 against Lancers since S6.

-
SEMIFINALS
Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)               75–62            Valanari Highlanders (VAL)
Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)           69–96             Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)
-

---

Meanwhile, in the classification bracket, the REBL's representatives continued to excel despite being eliminated from contention for the main prize. The Everfree Indigo, bitterly disappointed after suffering yet another heartbreaking loss to their archrivals, took out their frustration on the Leicester Square Riders and Dinamo Bender. The Indigo's 41-point victory over the latter in the fifth-place playoff left four REBL teams among the top five finishers at IUBC XIX. Everfree's success was soon followed by that of the Crystal Springs Stars, whose unlikely triumph against the Valanari Highlanders in the third-place playoff guaranteed the Royal Equestrian Basketball League the first podium sweep in IUBC history, a feat it previously came tantalizingly close to completing when Equestria sent three teams to the IUBC XIV Final Four, but were ultimately denied that glory by the Carloburgo Knights.

-
5th Place Semifinals
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                 75–59         Leicester Square Riders (DAR)

5th Place Playoff
Everfree Indigo (EQS)                101–60                BC Dinamo Bender (PDN)

3rd Place Playoff
Valanari Highlanders (VAL)            68–71           Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)
-

---

IUBC XIX Final Preview

-
IUBC TROPHY XIX FINAL

 Seaddle Subsonics vs. Crystopolis Lancers 
at Arena Elettricagosto in Trevona, Donnacona
Attendance: 17,872 (102.13%)
-

IUBC XIX Final Recap

-
IUBC Trophy XIX - Final            1Q  2Q  3Q  4Q   FT
 Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)        22  16  20  13   71
 Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)      22  19  17  20   78

Seaddle: Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS) | Coach (HC)
Crystopolis: Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS), Player (PS) | Coach (HC)
Referees: Name (NAT), Name (NAT), Name (NAT)
-

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And thus the reign of the IUBC's Triumvirate finally came to an end, at least temporarily. Basketball fans around the multiverse could share a sigh of relief that at last there was an IUBC champion that was not from Equestria, Valladares, or Valanora, but instead from Equestria's immediate neighbors to the north. Okay, so maybe it wasn't that much of a relief, but Crystalline basketball fans finally had something they could lord over their southern neighbors. In the Crystal Empire's glittering capital city, the Lancers were welcomed with a parade down Imperial Avenue and crowds of tens of thousands of happy (albeit somewhat confused) crystal ponies before being congratulated by Princess Mi Amore Cadenza herself at the Palace. Near the Empire's northern limits, a much smaller (though no less joyous) celebration welcomed the Crystal Springs Stars and their bronze medals home.

The Seaddle Subsonics, meanwhile, were greeted with a modest but subdued crowd of their most loyal followers who turned out to show their support. Many of the Subsonics' players appeared tired after the late flight from Donnacona, but still tried give their fans a smile. Head Coach <HC>, however, did not attempt to mask his/her lingering frustration. The Subsonics, so used to success, against a team which they had thoroughly dominated for the previous three seasons, had stumbled at the final, most important hurdle. <HC> was bitterly disappointed at the defeat, and when asked for her thoughts by a local basketball blogger, vowed that the Seaddle Subsonics were not yet ready to relinquish their position as the top team in the multiverse and that they would be back, not only for the REBL Championship, but also for the IUBC Trophy.

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IUBC XIX - Final Positions

 Crystopolis Lancers (CRY)
 Seaddle Subsonics (EQS)
 Crystal Springs Stars (CRY)
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