Nacional and CD Jorge Guzmán win opening group matches at LSB 2026

The Coliseo Ciudad de Loja in Loja, Ecuador, played host to the opening night of Group B in the 2026 South American Basketball League, where Nacional and CD Jorge Guzmán secured victories to begin group play.

Nacional overcomes Regatas Corrientes with a dominant rebounding performance

Nacional established control of the match in the second quarter and ultimately defeated Regatas Corrientes 106-96. The 2024 league champions utilized an up-tempo style to secure the win in Ecuador.

Dominican forward Luismal Ferreiras led the effort with 20 points and 14 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards. Ferreiras sealed the outcome with a put-back under the basket that pushed the margin to 104-94 with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Veteran guard Andrew Goudelock chipped in 17 points off the bench, shooting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc alongside 4 assists. Gianfranco Espíndola added 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Yohanner Sifontes distributed 7 assists and Gastón Semiglia scored 10 points.

Nacional controlled the glass with a 22-10 advantage in offensive rebounds, turning those extra chances into a 15-4 edge in second-chance points. The club also capitalized on 19 turnovers by Regatas to generate a 26-14 advantage in points off turnovers.

Foul trouble hindered Regatas Corrientes down the stretch. Roberto Acuña and Keith Stone fouled out after playing fewer than 14 minutes each, while Pablo Gramajo and Sebastián Orresta were also disqualified for exceeding the personal foul limit.

Fausto Ruesga paced Regatas with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Gramajo contributed 15 points with four three-pointers, and Francisco Farabello, Exequiel Lezcano, and José Montero each added 13 points.

CD Jorge Guzmán rallies past Corinthians with a late defensive stand

Ra’Shad James converted a mid-range jumper with 11 seconds left on the clock to lift CD Jorge Guzmán to a 97-96 victory over Corinthians.

Corinthians had an opportunity to seal the game in the closing moments, but center Victor Leal missed two free throws with his side leading 95-96. James responded with the go-ahead basket, and a final drive by Caue Borges for Corinthians missed the mark.

James paced the hosts with 27 points, shooting 9 of 11 from the floor including 5 of 6 from long range, while adding 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Dayon Griffin contributed 24 points with six three-pointers and 5 rebounds, and Leonardo Mainoldi scored 18 points with three triples, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.

CD Jorge Guzmán faced an 81-68 deficit at the start of the final period. Although Corinthians held statistical advantages in several categories, the Ecuadorian side erased the margin by shooting 18 of 34 from three-point range.

Victao Da Silva led Corinthians with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Borges recorded 18 points, Luis Lopes added 15, and point guard Elio Corazza handed out 13 assists while scoring 7 points.