Rio Claro/ABDC U22 Outlasts Bauru U22 in Brazil LDB Showdown

Bauru, Brazil – July 27, 2026 – Rio Claro/ABDC LDB U22 traveled to Bauru and walked away with a resilient 75-66 victory over the host Bauru U22 in a hard-fought Brazil LDB U22 contest. The match, played on Sunday evening, showcased the intensity and skill typical of Brazil’s premier under-22 development league, as both sides fought for early-season positioning.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Bauru U22 looked to control the tempo on their home floor. Their young core moved the ball well in the half-court and built a narrow lead through the first period. However, Rio Claro/ABDC remained composed, relying on defensive pressure and transition offense to keep the game close. The turning point came late in the third quarter, when Rio Claro/ABDC used a 12-2 run to seize a double-digit advantage. Bauru fought back in the fourth, cutting the deficit to four points, but Rio Claro/ABDC’s steady foul shooting down the stretch sealed the result.

Key Moments

• First Half Grind: Bauru’s active zone defense forced Rio Claro/ABDC into contested jumpers, but the visitors’ backcourt duo combined for 18 first-half points to keep the score tight at 35-33 in favor of Bauru.
• Third Quarter Surge: Rio Claro/ABDC came out of the locker room with renewed intensity; a trapping press led to three consecutive steals that ignited a 12-2 burst, flipping the score to 52-43 with 4 minutes left in the period.
• Bauru’s Late Push: With 5:30 remaining, Bauru’s starting point guard drilled a step-back three to make it 65-61, but Rio Claro/ABDC answered with back-to-back layups in transition, restoring order and forcing Bauru into desperation fouls.

Standout Players

For Rio Claro/ABDC LDB U22, Lucas Mendes was the difference-maker, finishing with a game-high 22 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range. His ability to create his own shot in crucial moments kept Bauru’s defense off balance. Felipe Costa added 14 points and 6 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise.

On the Bauru U22 side, João Pedro Silva led the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds, battling inside against a bigger Rio Claro/ABDC front line. Gabriel Almeida chipped in 13 points and 4 steals, but missed key free throws in the final two minutes that could have changed the outcome.

Tactical Story

Bauru U22 entered the game with a clear plan to slow the pace and work the ball through their big men in the post. For three quarters, that strategy yielded decent results—they outrebounded Rio Claro/ABDC 38-31. However, Rio Claro/ABDC’s coaching staff adjusted at halftime, switching to a 1-3-1 zone that clogged the lane and forced Bauru’s guards into long two-point attempts. The shift disrupted Bauru’s rhythm, leading to a 5-of-18 shooting slump in the third quarter. Rio Claro/ABDC, meanwhile, capitalized on the resulting transition opportunities, scoring 14 fast-break points in the second half alone.

Table and Season Impact

With the win, Rio Claro/ABDC U22 improves to 3-1 in the early LDB U22 standings, while Bauru U22 falls to 2-2. The result keeps Rio Claro/ABDC within striking distance of the league leaders in a competitive Southeast Group. For Bauru, the loss highlights a recurring difficulty closing out tight games—a point head coach Rafael Oliveira will look to address in the coming weeks as the team prepares for a road trip to face Santos U22.