Las Animas Crushes Deportes Castro 112-71 in Liga Nacional Romp

Las Animas delivered a statement performance at home on May 8, 2026, dismantling Deportes Castro 112-71 in a Chile Liga Nacional Basketball matchup. The lopsided victory showcased the host team's offensive firepower and defensive intensity, as Las Animas never allowed their opponents to establish any rhythm.

Complete Dominance from Start to Finish

From the opening quarter, Las Animas set the tone. They outscored Deportes Castro 32-18 in the first period, thanks to a relentless transition attack and sharp outside shooting. By halftime, the lead had swelled to 59-33, and the second half was essentially a formality as Las Animas continued to pour it on.

Forward James Reese led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting, hitting four three-pointers. Center Eduardo Gamboa controlled the paint with 16 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks, anchoring a defense that held Deportes Castro to just 38% shooting from the field.

Las Animas Spread the Wealth

Coach Juan Carlos Sepúlveda rotated his bench freely, and the reserves responded with 45 points. Guard Pedro Álvarez added 18 points and eight assists, while Nicolás Ferreyra chipped in 14 points off the bench. The ball movement was exceptional, as Las Animas recorded 28 assists on 44 made field goals.

Las Animas also dominated the glass, outrebounding Deportes Castro 48-31, and forced 16 turnovers that led to 23 easy points. On the defensive end, they contested every shot and limited second-chance opportunities.

Deportes Castro Unable to Keep Pace

Deportes Castro struggled to generate consistent offense against Las Animas' pressure. Forward Michael Smith led his team with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he received little support. The team's starting backcourt combined for just 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting.

Head coach Marcelo Rodríguez cited defensive breakdowns as the main issue. "We knew they would push the tempo, but we didn't get back in transition," he said postgame. "They made us pay every time."

Playoff Implications

The win strengthened Las Animas' hold on a top-two spot in the LNB standings, while Deportes Castro fell further behind in the race for a playoff berth. With the regular season winding down, Las Animas will look to maintain its momentum when facing CD Valdivia in their next contest.

For Deportes Castro, a quick turnaround and a matchup against Universidad de Concepción looms—a must-win if they hope to keep their postseason hopes alive.