Gorilas Tecate went into Oaxaca and came away with a hard-earned 96-87 road victory over Chapulines de Oaxaca in CIBACOPA action, using a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away from a game opponent that had stayed within striking distance for three quarters. The nine-point final margin flattered the visitors slightly, but the result was fully deserved: Tecate shot the ball better from the perimeter, controlled the defensive glass when it mattered, and closed the game with the kind of composure that separates contenders from the middle of the pack.

Match Overview

The game followed a classic road-underdog script early, with the Chapulines feeding off their home crowd and attacking the rim with energy. Oaxaca led by four after the opening period and traded baskets through a tight second quarter, heading into the locker room down by a single point. Tecate nudged ahead in the third, then broke the game open over the final eight minutes with a run built on stops rather than shot-making alone.

• Final score: Chapulines de Oaxaca 87, Gorilas Tecate 96
• Quarter scores (home-away): 20-24, 25-22, 19-23, 23-27
• Half-time: Oaxaca 45, Tecate 46
• End of third quarter: Oaxaca 64, Tecate 69
• Competition: CIBACOPA (Circuito de Baloncesto de la Costa del Pacífico)

Key Moments

The turning point arrived midway through the fourth quarter. With the Chapulines within three points and the crowd back in the game after a corner three, Tecate responded with a sequence that defined the night: a contested defensive rebound, a transition layup in traffic, a forced shot-clock violation, and then a pull-up three from the wing that pushed the lead to double digits. Oaxaca never got closer than six again.

Earlier, the visitors had survived a difficult stretch at the end of the first half, when the Chapulines scored on four consecutive possessions to briefly take the lead. Tecate's answer came from the free-throw line, where they were steady throughout and converted their attempts in the clutch, denying Oaxaca the easy transition opportunities that had kept the game close.

Tactical Story

Tecate's game plan was clear from the opening tip: pack the paint, dare Oaxaca to beat them from the perimeter, and win the rebounding battle. The Chapulines obliged for long stretches, settling for mid-range jumpers instead of forcing the ball inside, and their shooting cooled noticeably in the second half. When Oaxaca did attack the rim, Tecate's help defense rotated quickly and forced difficult finishes over length.

Offensively, the Gorilas leaned on ball movement and pick-and-roll action at the top of the key. Their guards repeatedly turned the corner and either finished at the rim or kicked out to open shooters, which is exactly how they built their fourth-quarter cushion. Oaxaca's zone look in the third quarter slowed the pace briefly, but Tecate adjusted by putting a shooter in the middle of the zone and attacking the gaps.

Standout Players

• Andre Coles (Gorilas Tecate): The engine of the win, finishing with a game-high 27 points and seven assists, including the dagger three in the fourth quarter.
• Luis Fernando Ibarra (Gorilas Tecate): A double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, with several key offensive boards that extended possessions late.
• Emmanuel Ruiz (Gorilas Tecate): Anchored the defense with three blocks and altered numerous shots around the rim.
• Diego Nuño (Chapulines de Oaxaca): Oaxaca's best player on the night with 22 points and five assists, keeping his team within reach through three quarters.
• Tyler Grayson (Chapulines de Oaxaca): Added 19 points, though he was held to just four in the final period.
• Raymundo Chávez (Chapulines de Oaxaca): A 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in a losing effort.

What It Means in the CIBACOPA Standings

Road wins in CIBACOPA are worth their weight in gold, and this one strengthens Tecate's position in the upper half of the table while denting Oaxaca's home record. For the Chapulines, the defeat is a reminder that closing games against the circuit's stronger rosters requires better late-game execution and more consistent three-point shooting. The nine-point margin also matters in tiebreakers: should these two teams finish level on wins, Tecate now holds the head-to-head advantage from this meeting.

For the Gorilas, the performance reinforced an identity that travels well — defense first, rebounding second, and a go-to scorer who can create his own shot when the offense stalls. That combination is typically what decides playoff series