Piratas de Bogota Hold Off Motilones del Norte in 83-80 Road Win

The Piratas de Bogota escaped with a hard-fought 83-80 victory over Motilones del Norte on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in a Liga de Baloncesto matchup that came down to the final possession. Playing on the road at the Coliseo Toto Hernández in Cúcuta, the Piratas survived a late Motilones rally and improved their position in the league standings with a disciplined fourth-quarter performance.

The game was tight throughout, featuring 14 lead changes and nine ties. Motilones del Norte led 62-60 after three quarters, but Piratas de Bogota outscored the home side 23-18 in the final period to secure the three-point win. The result moves Piratas de Bogota into a stronger spot in the Liga de Baloncesto table, while Motilones del Norte remain in the hunt for a playoff berth but missed an opportunity to gain ground on their rivals.

Match Overview

Both teams came out with high energy, trading baskets early. Motilones del Norte used a 10-2 run midway through the first quarter to take a 22-18 lead after the opening period. Piratas de Bogota responded in the second quarter behind sharp three-point shooting, outscoring the hosts 24-19 to take a 42-41 halftime advantage. The third quarter was a defensive battle, with Motilones edging ahead 62-60 heading into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, Piratas de Bogota executed better in the half-court offense and made key free throws down the stretch. Motilones del Norte had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but a contested three-pointer rimmed out, allowing the visitors to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First Quarter – Motilones’ early run: A 10-2 burst, capped by a fast-break dunk from forward Jhon Hernández, gave Motilones a 22-18 lead after one.
• Second Quarter – Piratas’ three-point barrage: Guard Carlos Rodríguez hit three triples in the period, helping Piratas take a 42-41 halftime lead.
• Third Quarter – Defensive grind: Both teams struggled to score for long stretches, but Motilones’ center Andrés Gómez controlled the boards, keeping the home side within striking distance.
• Fourth Quarter – Rodríguez’s clutch shot: With 1:12 remaining and the score tied at 78, Rodríguez drilled a step-back three-pointer to put Piratas up 81-78.
• Final seconds – Motilones’ last chance: After a quick basket by Motilones, Piratas’ Rodríguez made two free throws. Motilones had one final look from beyond the arc, but the shot missed, and Piratas grabbed the rebound as time expired.

Tactical Breakdown

Piratas de Bogota won this game with efficient perimeter shooting and composure at the free-throw line. They shot 11-of-27 from three-point range (40.7%) and converted 18-of-22 free throws (81.8%). Motilones del Norte, meanwhile, shot just 7-of-25 from deep (28.0%) and struggled to generate clean looks against Piratas’ switching defense in the fourth quarter.

Motilones del Norte dominated the paint, outscoring Piratas 42-30 inside, and held a 38-32 rebounding advantage. However, 15 turnovers proved costly, leading to 18 Piratas points. Piratas’ bench also provided a spark, contributing 22 points compared to just 12 for Motilones’ reserves.

Standout Players

Piratas de Bogota – Carlos Rodríguez: The veteran guard finished with a game-high 25 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. He was 4-of-8 from three-point range and hit the biggest shot of the night. Rodríguez also went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, including two clutch makes in the final seconds.

Piratas de Bogota – Miguel Ángel Torres: Torres added 18 points and 9 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence. He shot 8-of-12 from the field and helped neutralize Motilones’ size advantage.

Motilones del Norte – Jhon Hernández: Hernández led the home side with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals. He was aggressive attacking the rim and kept Motilones in the game with several tough finishes.

Motilones del Norte – Andrés Gómez: Gómez posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, along with 3 blocks. He anchored the defense and gave Motilones extra possessions on the offensive glass.

Season Impact and Standings

With the win, Piratas de Bogota improves to 7-4 on the season and strengthens their hold on a top-four spot in the Liga de Baloncesto standings. They have now won three of their last four games and remain one of the league’s most efficient offensive teams, averaging 82.3 points per contest.

Motilones del Norte drops to 5-6 and sits just outside the playoff picture. The loss is a missed opportunity, as they had won two straight at home before this defeat. Motilones will need to improve their late-