Forza Edges Out New Legends in Thrilling Guatemala LMM Showdown

In a tightly contested Guatemala LMM clash on June 16, 2026, home side Forza secured a hard-fought 92–88 victory over New Legends. The match, played at a packed neutral venue, saw Forza overcome a late surge from the visitors to claim their second win of the season and maintain momentum in the mid-table race.

First Half: Back-and-Forth Battle Sets the Tone

Both teams came out firing, with New Legends taking an early lead behind sharp outside shooting. Forza responded through aggressive drives to the basket, and the first quarter ended at 24–22 in favor of the home side. The second quarter saw defensive intensity rise, but Forza’s bench depth proved crucial as they stretched the lead to 48–43 by halftime. Key to that run was a 10–2 spurt in the final three minutes, sparked by a steal and fast-break dunk from guard Carlos Méndez.

Second Half: New Legends Fight Back, Forza Holds Firm

New Legends came out of the locker room determined, locking in on defense and forcing three turnovers in the opening four minutes of the third quarter. They tied the game at 55–55 midway through the period, but Forza center Miguel Ángel López answered with two crucial baskets in the paint, helping his team reclaim a 70–66 lead heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a tense affair. New Legends forward Andrés Torres nailed a three-pointer with 1:20 left to cut the deficit to 88–86. However, Forza’s experienced point guard, Juan Pablo Rivas, calmly sank a mid-range jumper and then made two free throws after a scramble for a loose ball to seal the 92–88 victory.

Standout Performances

• Forza – Juan Pablo Rivas: The veteran point guard finished with 22 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, controlling the tempo and making big plays down the stretch.
• Forza – Miguel Ángel López: Dominated the interior with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, providing a critical presence on both ends.
• New Legends – Andrés Torres: A game-high 26 points (including 5 three-pointers) and 6 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome Forza’s balanced attack.

Table Impact and Looking Ahead

The win lifts Forza to 4–3 on the season, moving them into fifth place in the Guatemala LMM standings. New Legends drop to 3–4, slipping to seventh. Forza will look to build on this momentum when they face league leaders Halcones next week, while New Legends will aim to bounce back against the struggling Tigres.

This contest underlined the competitiveness of the Guatemala LMM, where every possession matters. Forza’s ability to execute under pressure and their superior rebounding (42–35) made the difference on the day.