SaberCats steamroll Mustangs for district dub
EDINBURG — The Robert Vela SaberCats (20-12, 7-4) hosted the McAllen Memorial Mustangs (15-13, 5-5) in a district 31-5A matchup on Tuesday. Vela took the dub, 71-40.
The first time these two teams clashed was back in December, in which the Mustangs held onto a tough win. More so, Vela was looking to rebound from that matchup and from the tough game that slipped through their hands against PSJA North last Friday.
From the jump, Vela found their groove quick as Noah Enriquez — senior forward — got his team with a 5-0 lead off of two baskets. The first being a three pointer from the right wing and then the other from the baseline, in which he caught and popped in stride.
The ‘Cats controlled the boards and applied tons of pressure on the guards to build their lead, 9-2.
After a timeout in the first by the Mustangs, the away squad finally found their way on the offensive end as Julian Castaneda swished a three from the corner to try to get a spark for his team.
However, those who know the Vela SaberCats are aware that they have the region’s leading scorer with Jordan Bustamante. Bustamante averages 28.1 points a game and is approximately sixth in the state for scoring.
After the Castaneda three, Bustamante returned the favor and finally got on the boards with a three of his own in the corner. The following possession, the senior got another bucket in the paint. McAllen Memorial did do a good job at restraining Bustamante, as he went null on his first three attempts, but adjustments were made to get him clear for some shots.
Bustamante had 30 points on the night, which was a game high. Vela was ahead 39-20 going into the half.
The Mustangs did bring some horse power at the start of the second half as Isaiah Bryant and Jon Gonzalez hit a couple of threes to bring the deficit to 13.
But, that was the closest that the Mustangs got as Vela recuperated and canceled any attempt of a comeback. The ‘Cats led 56-35 at the end of the third and ultimately, never looked back in the fourth.
Head Coach Lucio Rodriguez said that despite having a tough game Friday and the first time against the Mustangs, he said his team has been improving throughout the season. More so, he gives all the credit to the boys for the commanding win.
“This win is all on the guys. It’s all on them, man,” Rodriguez said. “They played well. They hit some shots. They found their teammates. They made the extra passes. They hustled everywhere and they played a well-rounded game.”
As Vela is tied in the district for third, Rodriguez said that the team can never assume they’re at their best — stating that there’s always work to be done.
“We always got to get better at everything, every single day,” the coach said.
Vela takes on the undefeated McHi Bulldogs in McAllen on Friday. McAllen Memorial looks to rebound against PSJA Memorial.