AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico (Interstat) — The Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) will feature a pivotal matchup Thursday, July 30, 2026, as the first-place Fuerza Regia visits the Aguascalientes Panteras at Hermanos Carreon Gymnasium. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.

Fuerza Regia (23-8) enters the contest riding a two-game winning streak, both overtime victories over Soles. The team is anchored by power forward Alphonso Anderson, who posted 27 points, seven rebounds and one assist in a 95-89 win Sunday, July 26, after scoring eight points in a 94-91 overtime win the previous night. Anderson averages 14.2 points per game this season.

The Panteras (14-15) are coming off a narrow 91-88 loss at Diablos Rojos on Friday, July 24, despite 14 points, four rebounds and five assists from point guard Jaron Martin. Martin had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 91-80 win over the same Diablos Rojos team on July 23.

Both teams have met seven times since September 2025, with Fuerza Regia winning five of those contests. The most recent matchup, Oct. 30, 2025, saw Fuerza Regia win 104-94 in Monterrey, though the Panteras claimed a 98-88 home victory on Oct. 27. In the Oct. 25 game at Aguascalientes, Fuerza Regia won 94-72.

Aguascalientes will look to Martin to orchestrate the offense against a Fuerza Regia defense that has held opponents to 85.3 points per game. The Panteras have struggled at home, posting a 7-8 record at Hermanos Carreon this season.

Fuerza Regia’s depth was evident in Sunday’s win, with point guard Avry Holmes recording nine points, eight rebounds and nine assists, and shooting guard Daniel Bejarano adding six points, nine rebounds and two assists. The team’s starting lineup has been consistent throughout the season.

Thursday’s game is the first of a two-game series between the clubs, with the second contest scheduled for Friday, July 31, also in Aguascalientes.

For the Panteras, center Miguel Simon contributed 12 points and four rebounds in Friday’s loss at Diablos Rojos, while guard Gabriel Giron added 17 points. Aguascalientes will need Simon to contain Fuerza Regia’s interior scoring, led by Anderson and forward Avry Holmes.

The matchup marks a critical juncture for both teams as they approach the postseason. Fuerza Regia aims to solidify its hold on the LNBP standings, while the Panteras seek to climb above .500 and build momentum for a playoff push.