Juventud Las Piedras edged Ateneo Piriapolis 91-88 in a high-scoring Tercera de Ascenso thriller on October 22, 2026, surviving a tense final minute at home. The contest featured 179 combined points, multiple lead changes and a late burst from the hosts that proved decisive in a game where neither defense was able to impose itself for long stretches.

Match overview

Juventud Las Piedras started brightly and led 22-20 after the first quarter, but Ateneo Piriapolis responded with a stronger second period to take a 44-43 advantage into halftime. The third quarter was another back-and-forth affair, with Juventud reclaiming a narrow 68-67 lead heading into the final ten minutes. In the fourth, both teams traded baskets at a furious pace before Juventud found the extra defensive stops and free throws needed to close out a 91-88 win.

Key moments

Ateneo Piriapolis appeared to have seized control when they moved ahead 80-74 midway through the fourth quarter. Juventud Las Piedras answered immediately with a 10-2 run, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers and an offensive rebound that led to a second-chance layup. The game was tied at 86 with under two minutes remaining before Juventud’s Nicolás Cabrera hit a contested jumper and later added two free throws to seal the result. Ateneo had one final look from beyond the arc, but the attempt rimmed out in the closing seconds.

Tactical story

This was a game defined by shot-making and pace. Juventud Las Piedras attacked the paint consistently, drawing fouls and creating open looks for their shooters. Their offensive rebounding also gave them extra possessions in key moments. Ateneo Piriapolis, meanwhile, relied on quick ball movement and a high volume of three-point attempts, keeping the game close even when Juventud threatened to pull away. In the end, Juventud’s ability to score inside and get to the free-throw line made the difference in a contest with little margin for error.

Standout performers

• Nicolás Cabrera paced Juventud Las Piedras with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute.
• Bruno Silveira added 19 points and eight rebounds, providing a strong interior presence throughout.
• Mateo Rodríguez chipped in with 14 points and four steals, disrupting Ateneo’s rhythm defensively.
• For Ateneo Piriapolis, Santiago Píriz was outstanding with 27 points and five three-pointers, while Joaquín Márquez contributed 18 points.

Table impact and what’s next

The victory is a valuable one for Juventud Las Piedras in a crowded Tercera de Ascenso race, keeping them within touching distance of the promotion conversation. Ateneo Piriapolis leave with credit for a strong offensive display but will rue the missed opportunities in the final two minutes. Both teams will take lessons from a game that underlined how important late-game execution and rebounding can be in a division where margins are often narrow.