In a tightly contested South American clash, Hebraica y Macabi fell just short against defending champion Club Atlético Aguada, losing 85–81 at home on May 13, 2026. The Uruguay Liga Uruguaya matchup, held at the Polideportivo Hebraica in Montevideo, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, as both teams traded leads throughout the fourth quarter.

Match Overview

The game was a battle of contrasting styles. Hebraica relied on a fast-paced, three-point-heavy offense, while Aguada leaned on its veteran core and physical defense. The visitors shot 48% from the field and 8-of-20 from deep, while the home team managed 44% shooting but turned the ball over 16 times, a stat that proved costly in the final margin.

Key Turning Points

• Early Lead for Hebraica: The hosts jumped out to a 22–16 lead after the first quarter behind six quick points from guard Nicolás Iglesias.
• Aguada's Second-Quarter Response: Aguada outscored Hebraica 27–18 in the second period, taking a 43–40 halftime advantage. Forward Luciano Parodi sparked the run with 10 points in the quarter.
• Clutch Free Throws: With 18 seconds left and Aguada leading 83–81, Parodi calmly sank two free throws to ice the game. Hebraica's potential game-tying three-pointer rimmed out.

Standout Performances

Aguada's veteran guard Sebastián Izaguirre (1.85 m, 85 kg) led all scorers with 22 points and added 5 assists, while Parodi finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds. For Hebraica, American forward Tony Criswell recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds, and shooter Sebastián Vázquez added 17 points, including four three-pointers. However, the home team's bench contributed only 16 points compared to Aguada's 30, a disparity that head coach Leonardo Zylberberg acknowledged post-game: "We need more production from our second unit down the stretch."

Standings and Postseason Outlook

The loss dropped Hebraica to an 18–16 record, placing them fifth in the Liga Uruguaya standings with three games remaining. Aguada improved to 22–12, keeping them in second place behind leader Defensor Sporting. With the playoffs approaching, every game carries extra weight. "We know we can compete with anyone in this league," said Hebraica guard Vázquez. "We just have to clean up the turnovers and finish those close games." The result sets up a potential second-round playoff matchup between these two sides, adding another chapter to their developing rivalry.