The Cocodrilos secured a hard-fought 81-76 road victory over the Centauros de Portuguesa in a Liga Profesional de Baloncesto clash that tipped off on April 13, 2026. This result was a significant away win for the Cocodrilos, who managed to close out a tight contest in the final minutes to claim the head-to-head advantage.
The match was closely contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. The Cocodrilos established a slight edge in the first half through efficient perimeter shooting and aggressive defense. However, the Centauros, playing with strong home support, mounted a determined comeback in the third quarter, using a run fueled by fast-break points to erase the deficit and briefly take the lead. The decisive period came in the final five minutes, where the Cocodrilos' experience showed. They executed a critical 8-0 run, highlighted by a key three-pointer and a steal leading to a transition dunk, to build a cushion the Centauros could not overcome. The home team had several opportunities to cut the lead to a single possession in the final minute but missed crucial free throws and a contested three-point attempt at the buzzer.
A key focus point was the battle in the paint, where the Cocodrilos' interior defense managed to contain the Centauros' primary scorers during crunch time. The performance of the Cocodrilos' veteran point guard was a standout, as he controlled the tempo in the fourth quarter and contributed several assists and a key steal. For the Centauros, the loss will be a frustrating one given their competitive performance, with the final margin coming down to a handful of missed shots and defensive lapses in critical moments. This result provides a boost for the Cocodrilos in the league table, moving them up the standings, while the Centauros will look to bounce back in their next fixture to maintain their position in the playoff race.
Post-match, the Cocodrilos coach praised his team's resilience, stating, "Winning on the road in this league is never easy, and the Centauros pushed us to the limit. Our guys showed great composure to make the winning plays when it mattered." The Centauros' manager focused on the positives, saying, "We competed for 40 minutes against a very good team. The effort was there; we just need to execute a little better in the final two minutes of close games."
The starting lineups featured the Centauros' usual backcourt tandem and their dominant center, while the Cocodrilos countered with