Santiago Metro strengthens its lead in the LNB after defeating Gigantes
The Santiago Metros solidified their position at the top of the standings for the 2026 season of the National Basketball League (LNB), following a hard-fought victory over the Gigantes Basketball Club with a final score of 99-97. The exciting match took place this Wednesday at the Gran Arena del Cibao.
With this triumph, the Mets’ record rises to 8-1, while the Giants now accumulate a balance of 7-2. The particular series between both teams is tied, with a victory for each, as the Giants won the first match.Five Metros players achieved double figures in scoring, demonstrating the team’s depth and balance. Tony Cracknell led the offense with 20 points, making 8 of 12 field goals. Jordan Gerónimo contributed 15 points, as did Anthony Fairley, who also added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Jordan Hall contributed 14 points and Adris De León finished with 10 points, including 8 assists and 5 rebounds.
For the Giants, Luismal Ferreiras stood out with 25 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Francis King Fitzgerald with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Charles Brown added 18 points and Waverly Austin 8, in addition to 9 rebounds.
A key factor in the Metros’ victory was the performance of their bench, which outperformed the Giants’ by a margin of 33-19.A final quarter full of emotions
The last quarter of the game was a real battle, with constant exchanges of spectacular baskets. A two-point shot by Fitzgerald, with 3:57 left, gave the Giants the lead 91-90. The difference remained minimal until the last minute, when De León scored a key shot to put the Metros ahead 96-95.
With 27 seconds left, Oliver García scored a three-pointer that extended the lead to 99-97. The Metros’ defense managed to contain the Gigantes’ final attempts, securing the victory.Game Development by Quarters
The Giants dominated the first quarter, leading with a partial score of 33-20. However, the Metros responded in the second quarter with a 19-2 run, taking the lead and finishing the first half 53-45.
In the third quarter, the Giants narrowed the gap, but the Metros maintained the lead, closing the period with a score of 72-70.
The quarter scores were: 20-33, 33-12, 19-25 and 27-27 for the Metros.
In the second quarter, it was the Metros who showed their strength. With 5:26 remaining, those from Santiago completed a 19-2 run and the scoreboard read 39-35. In that rally, Gerónimo scored 8 points. Then Fairley scored two points with 39.3 seconds left, leaving the first half 53-45. Gerónimo scored 13 points, Cracknell 9, Fairley 8 and Brahian Méndez 7 to lead the Metros in the first 20 minutes of action. On the Giants’ side, Ferreiras contributed 12 units, Brown Jr. 8, as did Waverly Austin 8. The Giants regained ground in the third quarter, being efficient from the free throw line. From there, Fitzgerald scored three consecutive shots with 2:11 remaining, bringing the visitors closer to 68-69. In the rest of the quarter, the Metros’ defense prevailed and the scoreboard read 72-70 after three periods.
