In a nail-biting encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, Corinthians LDB U22 edged out Minas Tenis Clube U22 67–66 in a Brazil LDB U22 classic on June 24, 2026. The one-point victory at the Corinthians’ home venue showcased the intensity and developing talent of Brazil’s premier under-22 basketball competition.

Match Overview

The LDB U22 (Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete) serves as the primary developmental league for young Brazilian basketball prospects, and this matchup lived up to its reputation. Both teams entered the game with postseason aspirations, making every possession critical. Corinthians, buoyed by their home crowd, managed to snatch the win in a tense final minute.

First Half: A Defensive Struggle

The opening quarter was defined by physical defense and anxious offense. Corinthians established a narrow lead, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities and second-chance points. Minas, however, responded with disciplined half-court sets, keeping the margin within single digits. By halftime, the score sat at 34–32 in favor of the home side.

Second Half Drama

Minas Tenis Clube U22 came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Their guards, notably Lucas Mendes (18 points, 5 assists) and Felipe Santos (14 points, 7 rebounds), orchestrated a 12–2 run early in the third quarter, flipping the script. Corinthians looked rattled, but a timeout by head coach Ronaldo Lima steadied the ship. The host team chipped away, entering the fourth quarter trailing 52–50.

Final Minute: Clutch Plays Decide the Game

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. With 45 seconds remaining, Minas led 66–64. Corinthians guard Gabriel Oliveira, who finished with a game-high 22 points and 6 rebounds, drove hard to the basket, drew a foul, and calmly sank two free throws to tie the game at 66. On the ensuing possession, Minas turned the ball over on a traveling violation. Corinthians called a timeout with 8.2 seconds left.

Out of the timeout, Oliveira received the inbound pass, was trapped near half-court, but found Vinícius Costa cutting to the rim. Costa’s layup attempt was contested, but the ball bounced favorably off the rim and fell through as the buzzer sounded, giving Corinthians a 67–66 victory. The arena erupted.

Key Statistics

• Field Goal Percentage: Corinthians 42% (26/62), Minas 39% (24/61)
• Three-Pointers: Corinthians 6/18, Minas 5/16
• Rebounds: Corinthians 38 (12 offensive), Minas 40 (14 offensive)
• Turnovers: Corinthians 14, Minas 15

Standings Implications

This win improved Corinthians LDB U22’s record, keeping them in contention for a top-four finish in the league standings. For Minas, the narrow defeat was a tough blow, but the team remains a dangerous opponent heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The LDB U22 playoffs are shaping up to be highly competitive, with young talents like Gabriel Oliveira and Lucas Mendes making strong cases for future professional contracts.

Looking Ahead

Corinthians will look to build momentum in their next fixture, while Minas will aim to bounce back and tighten their execution in crunch time. The rivalry between these two clubs, though still developing at the U22 level, promises more thrilling contests in seasons to come.