Este’s Cañeros Defeat Gigantes del Cibao in Thrilling LNB Game
In an encounter full of emotions, the Cañeros de Este defeated the Gigantes del Cibao with a final score of 105-100 in the Super Liga de la LNB, played in the Mario Ortega pavilion.
Lazar Lugic led the Cañeros’ offense with 27 points, while Yeison Colomé became the hero of the match by scoring the decisive three-pointer. The Cañeros demonstrated their ability to react to the Gigantes’ push, who fought until the end.
Lugic stood out with 8 of 12 field goals, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Marvin Smith Jr. contributed 19 points and Eusebio Suero added 18.
For the Giants, Luismal Ferreiras had an outstanding performance with 34 points and 16 rebounds. Charles Brown Jr. contributed 23 points and 7 assists, and Francis King Fitzgerald added 15 points.
Colomé also scored 18 units, in addition to 5 assists and 3 steals.
Los Cañeros, with an 8-8 record, are awaiting the results to know if they advance to the next phase. Los Gigantes, with a 12-3 record, lead the 2026 season.
After a great third quarter, the Cañeros maintained the intensity in the last period. Smith Jr. scored a crucial three-pointer that gave them a 10-point lead (96-86) with 6:19 left. However, the Giants reacted, getting within one point (100-99) with a basket by Ferreiras with 1:25 left.
Despite the Giants’ effort, Colomé responded with a three-pointer at 23.9 seconds, putting the score 103-100 in favor of the Cañeros. The Cañeros’ defense prevented the Giants from tying in the next possession.
The key to victory for the Cañeros was their excellent shooting from the three-point line, with 22 of 43 attempts made, a 51 percent. Lugic led with 5 of 6 three-pointers. Smith Jr. and Suero were also effective, with 6 of 9 and 5 of 9, respectively.
In the first quarter, Brown Jr. and Ferreiras boosted the Giants, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively, allowing them to win the partial 35-26. Lugic also stood out for the Cañeros with 13 points.
In the second quarter, the Giants’ lead extended to 43-26, after a three-pointer by Jankarlo Iciano. The Cañeros closed in, but Brown Jr. responded with another three-pointer that left the score at 58-47. The first half ended 63-52.
Brown Jr. was the most outstanding player in the first 20 minutes with 20 points, followed by Ferreiras with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Giants also had 9 points from Fitzgerald. Lugic and Smith Jr. scored 20 and 9 points, respectively, for the Cañeros.
In the third quarter, the Cañeros, with a solid defense, limited the Gigantes to only 14 points. Colomé put his team ahead 75-73 and they maintained control to finish the period 81-77.
The partial scores of the match were: 26-35, 26-28, 29-14 and 24-23.Upcoming Meetings
The LNB Super League will have a break on Monday, but returns on Tuesday with the Marineros de Puerto Plata visiting the Metros de Santiago at the Oscar Gobaira Arena at 8:00 p.m., and the Soles del Este receiving the Titanes del Sur at the Rolando Ramírez multipurpose hall at 8:30 p.m.
