FC Bayern Munich took a commanding 2-0 lead in their BBL playoff quarterfinal series with an 80-65 victory over SYNTAINICS MBC in Game 2 on May 20, 2025, at the Stadthalle Weißenfels, avenging earlier regular season and Pokal semifinal losses to MBC. Despite MBC’s early 19-16 lead after the first quarter, sparked by a Spencer Reaves three-pointer, Bayern turned the tide with a 7-0 run to start the third quarter (13-21), leading 59-45 entering the fourth. Michael Devoe led Bayern with 17 points, while a sold-out crowd of 3,000 witnessed MBC’s first-ever playoff game at home, though their poor 16% three-point shooting (4/25) hindered any comeback hopes.
Bayern’s German stars shone in front of national team coach Alex Mumbru, with world champions Andreas Obst and Johannes Voigtmann each scoring 15 points, while MBC’s Eddy Edigin managed 12 points. Akeem Vargas, however, went scoreless for MBC, still needing 10 points to reach 1,500 career BBL points. Bayern’s defense, praised by coach Gordon Herbert as “solid” and “dictating,” limited MBC’s offense, with Nick Weiler-Babb, Justus Hollatz, and Shabazz Napier orchestrating the game plan. Bayern shot 35% from three and drew 23 fouls, converting 31 free throws, while missing key players like Carsen Edwards and Oscar da Silva, alongside MBC’s absent Martin Breunig.
The electric playoff atmosphere in Weißenfels couldn’t lift MBC, who now face elimination as the series moves to Munich’s SAP Garden for Game 3 on Saturday at 4:30 PM. Herbert emphasized the need for continued defensive intensity, noting, “It’s not over; we must come out with the same presence.” Bayern, the top seed (24-10 regular season), are one win away from the semifinals, while MBC, the eighth seed (16-18), must overcome their injury setbacks and shooting woes to extend the series.
