The Zulia state derby delivered a classic thriller as the Gaiteros de Zulia edged out their local rivals Brillantes del Zulia with a narrow 69‑67 victory on May 20, 2026. The match, played at a neutral venue due to the shared regional roots, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the contest with contrasting momentum. Brillantes had been inconsistent at home, while Gaiteros were looking to climb the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto standings. The first half saw Brillantes take a slim 35‑33 lead, fueled by crisp ball movement and strong rebounding. However, Gaiteros tightened their defense in the third quarter, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast‑break points.

The fourth quarter became a back‑and‑forth battle. With under two minutes left, Brillantes tied the game at 67‑67 after a three‑pointer from their shooting guard. But Gaiteros responded with a composed pick‑and‑roll play that led to a mid‑range jumper, putting them ahead by two. Brillantes had a chance to force overtime, but their last‑second three‑point attempt bounced off the rim.

Key Moments

• Third‑quarter surge: Gaiteros outscored Brillantes 22‑14 in the period, turning a two‑point deficit into a six‑point lead.
• Clutch free‑throw shooting: Gaiteros made 8 of 9 free throws in the final five minutes, keeping Brillantes at bay.
• Defensive stop: With 15 seconds left, Gaiteros forced a hurried shot from Brillantes’ top scorer, sealing the win.

Standout Players

For Gaiteros, veteran point guard José “Pepito” Martínez orchestrated the offense with 18 points and 7 assists, including the decisive assist on the go‑ahead basket. On the Brillantes side, forward Luisana Rojas was a force inside, recording a double‑double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Impact on the Standings

The win lifted Gaiteros to a 12‑9 record, keeping them in the playoff hunt, while Brillantes fell to 10‑11, dropping to seventh in the tightly packed LPB table. The result also gave Gaiteros a 2‑1 edge in the season series between the two Zulia‑based clubs.