Close Calls and Upsets in Uruguayan Basketball
The Uruguayan Basketball League (UBL) saw a dramatic weekend of action, with two close victories for the favorites and several surprising upsets.
Aguada secured their third consecutive win, defeating Urunday University 98-86 at home. Despite trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half, Aguada rallied back, energized by Frank Hassell’s crucial contributions in the paint. Donald Sims led the charge for Aguada with 21 points, while Jamil Wilson and Agustín Zuvich added 16 each. Urunday University, on the brink of relegation by two wins, were led by Erik Thomas, who put up a valiant 23 points.
Biguá pulled off a hard-fought victory against Urupan, winning 93-89 on the road. The visitors led by up to 10 points in the third quarter, but Urupan cut the deficit to just three points in the final minutes. However, Colombian guard Juan Tello sealed the deal for Biguá with a strong closing performance, contributing 21 points alongside Andre Spight’s 24-point effort.
Hebraica and Macabi snatched a dramatic overtime victory against Defensor Sporting at Welcome’s court, winning 90-86. The team defied a 15-point deficit in the second quarter and even equalized in the 80th minute to force overtime. Skyler Hogan shone with 27 points for Hebraica and Macabi, while Federico Haller scored 21 points and Kingsley Okano contributed 16.
Intense Competition Back to the Top of the Table
These results have significantly impacted the table standings. National maintains its lead, followed by Malvin in second place. Aguada is hot on their heels, joining Peñarol in a tight battle for the top.
Looking ahead, the battle for the playoff spots is heating up.
- Biguá and Peñarol will resume their match, postponed to Friday the 14th.
-
The final weeks of the regular season promise to be thrilling, with several teams vying for a top-six finish.
Interview with Aguada’s Coach
"The game against Urunday University was a rollercoaster," said Aguada’s Head Coach, Felipe Stazzone, "We made some costly mistakes in the first half, but the players showed incredible resilience. Frank Hassell’s performance was truly pivotal in the second half. We are now focusing on sustaining this momentum heading into the final stretch of the season."
The Uruguayan Basketball League season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. With so many teams vying for the title, the coming weeks promises to be an exciting spectacle for fans of the game.