Abecas reclaimed victory over Santos with a 92-78 win in the LNBP on Sunday night, reversing yesterday's narrow defeat. The hosts took control early and never looked back, their shooting proving decisive from the opening minutes. To be fair, Santos had the edge in rebounding, but Abecas made the most of their opportunities when it mattered.
The difference came from beyond the arc. Abecas hit eight of their 22 three-point attempts, while Santos managed just three from 14 attempts. We had tipped this one for the home side at 53 per cent confidence, and the result reflected that call. Their perimeter shooting opened up the floor and left the visitors flat-footed.
Abecas shot 46 per cent from the field compared to Santos' 34, and their ball movement showed in 14 assists against nine. The visitors relied heavily on the free-throw line, converting 15 of 19 attempts, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap. By then, the game was already slipping away.
Defensively, the hosts recorded seven blocks to Santos' single block, disrupting their rhythm inside. Abecas also committed fewer turnovers, just six compared to nine from the visitors. That discipline allowed them to work the channels without giving away easy possessions.
The result means Abecas end a two-game losing streak against Santos, having lost 87-86 just 24 hours earlier. Santos dropped their second consecutive game against the home side after a comfortable win over Gambusinos on Wednesday. The scoreboard tells the story without embellishment.
