CIBACOPA PREVIEW: FRAYLES AT PIONEROS

MEXICO CITY (Interstat) — The Guasave Frayles and Los Mochis Pioneros renew their CIBACOPA rivalry Tuesday night at Auditorio Benito Juarez, just three days after playing a dramatic overtime game.

Guasave (23-17) enters as the visiting team on a neutral court. Los Mochis (17-22) looks to build momentum after a 90-88 overtime win at Guasave on Saturday.

The May 26 matchup carries playoff positioning implications for both sides. Guasave currently holds the fourth-best record in the league, while Los Mochis is battling to climb above .500.

Player to watch: Octavio Brito, Guasave

Brito, a shooting guard, has been the Frayles’ most consistent offensive threat. In four of his last five games, he scored at least 15 points. He logged 20 points on 31 minutes in Saturday’s overtime loss to Los Mochis, adding five assists and one rebound.

Over his past six games, Brito has averaged 17.2 points and 4.5 assists while shooting efficiently from the floor. His best performance came May 8 at Venados, where he poured in 22 points with five rebounds and four assists in a 110-113 loss.

Brito’s ability to create his own shot and facilitate for teammates makes him the focal point of Guasave’s offense.

Player to watch: Eric Griffin, Los Mochis

Griffin, a small forward, has been a double-double threat for the Pioneros. He recorded 19 points and seven rebounds in Saturday’s overtime victory, playing 26 minutes.

The forward has scored in double figures in four of his last five games, including an 18-point, seven-rebound effort May 16 in a 107-110 loss at Venados. Griffin’s versatility allows him to score inside and stretch the floor from mid-range.

His rebounding has been particularly valuable for a Los Mochis team that has struggled to control the glass in recent weeks.

Recent history

The teams split their two-game series May 22-23. Guasave won 103-83 on Friday behind a balanced attack, before Los Mochis rallied for the overtime victory Saturday.

Overall, Guasave has won four of six meetings this season. The Frayles swept a two-game home series April 7-8 and dropped two of three at Los Mochis in March.

Tuesday’s game is the first of a back-to-back set between the clubs. They meet again Wednesday at the same venue.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.