Andes BC Dominate Ambato Soldiers in Ecuador NL Showdown

In a highly anticipated Ecuador NL fixture on May 24, 2026, Andes BC delivered a commanding performance on the road, defeating the Ambato Soldiers with a convincing 99-79 victory. The match, played at Ambato’s home arena, saw the visitors take control early and never look back, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive resilience.

Match Overview & Key Moments

From the opening tip, Andes BC set the tone with aggressive full-court pressure, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. By the end of the first quarter, they held a 28-18 lead, with guard Luis Montero scoring 10 points in the period. The Soldiers struggled to find rhythm against Andes’ switching defense, and their star center Carlos Ruiz was limited to just 6 points in the first half.

Ambato mounted a brief rally in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits behind a 9-0 run fueled by guard Jorge Vargas. However, Andes responded with a decisive 15-2 burst, capped by a thunderous dunk from forward Mateo Hernández. The fourth quarter was largely academic, as Andes stretched the lead to 20 points and cruised to the finish.

Standout Players

• Luis Montero (Andes BC) – Led all scorers with 27 points, adding 6 assists and 4 steals. His ability to penetrate the defense and hit clutch three-pointers (4-of-7) was pivotal.
• Mateo Hernández (Andes BC) – Posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, dominating the glass on both ends.
• Jorge Vargas (Ambato Soldiers) – The home team’s best performer, finishing with 22 points and 5 assists, though his efforts were not enough to spark a comeback.
• Carlos Ruiz (Ambato Soldiers) – Held to just 12 points (his season average is 18) due to Andes’ stingy interior defense, a key factor in the loss.

Tactical Analysis

Andes BC’s game plan revolved around exploiting Ambato’s weak perimeter defense. They shot 52% from the field and 41% from three-point range, while limiting the Soldiers to 38% shooting. The visitors also won the rebounding battle 44-33, a testament to their physicality and hustle. Ambato, typically a strong home team, committed 17 turnovers that led to 23 Andes points, a statistic that head coach Raúl Mendoza will address in practice.

Impact on the Ecuador NL Standings

With this win, Andes BC improved to 14-6 on the season, firmly placing them in contention for the playoff’s top seed. The Ambato Soldiers dropped to 11-9, slipping to fifth in the league table. The result also extends Andes’ winning streak to five games, while the Soldiers have now lost three of their last four outings.

Both teams will be back in action this week as the Ecuador NL season heats up, with Andes BC hosting the Quito Eagles and Ambato traveling to face the Guayaquil Giants.