CD Puerto Varas Edges Las Animas in Tight Chilean Liga Nacional Contest

In a hard-fought encounter in the Chile Liga Nacional Basketball, CD Puerto Varas secured a narrow 81–76 victory over Las Animas on May 16, 2026. The match, played at Las Animas’ home venue, saw the visitors overcome a spirited home side to claim two crucial points in the league standings.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a closely contested first half. Las Animas relied on their inside presence, while CD Puerto Varas countered with sharp perimeter shooting. The home team held a slender lead at halftime, but the visitors adjusted defensively in the third quarter. Puerto Varas’ backcourt sparked a 12–2 run early in the fourth period, establishing a lead they would not relinquish. Despite a late rally by Las Animas, Puerto Varas held firm at the free-throw line in the final minute to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First Half Battle: Las Animas’ frontcourt dominated the boards, grabbing 14 rebounds in the first two quarters. Guard Matías Soto scored 10 points in the second quarter to keep his team ahead 42–38 at the break.
• Third Quarter Turnaround: CD Puerto Varas locked in defensively, forcing five turnovers in the third quarter and converting them into fast-break points. Shooting guard Carlos Muñoz connected on back-to-back three-pointers to flip the momentum.
• Clutch Free Throws: With under 30 seconds left and a 79–76 lead, Puerto Varas’ point guard calmly sank two free throws to push the margin to 81–76, effectively ending Las Animas’ hopes.

Standout Performers

Carlos Muñoz led all scorers with 24 points for CD Puerto Varas, shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. His energy on both ends was pivotal. For Las Animas, Felipe Rojas recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but his team struggled to contain Puerto Varas’ perimeter attack in the second half.

Season Implications

The win improved CD Puerto Varas’ record, solidifying their position in the upper half of the Liga Nacional table. Las Animas, meanwhile, dropped to .500 on the season, missing a chance to climb into playoff contention. With the league’s compact schedule, every result matters, and Las Animas will need to regroup quickly to stay in the race.

Looking Ahead

Las Animas will have a week to prepare for their next fixture against league leaders CD Universidad de Concepción, while CD Puerto Varas returns home to host a struggling CD Valdivia side. If Puerto Varas can maintain this level of defensive intensity, they could be a dark horse in the postseason picture.