With the 2026 Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional zone semifinals deadlocked at one game apiece, Club Lobos Puebla prepares to host Panteras de Aguascalientes for games three and four at the Arena de la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. The matchups are scheduled for Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23, with both tip-offs set for 20:00 local time. Francisco “Paco” Olmos leads the Puebla squad as they look to capitalize on home-court advantage and secure victories to punch their ticket to the Zone Final.

The series shifted locations following an opening split in Aguascalientes. Lobos opened the postseason cashing in an intense 111-100 extra-period victory at Auditorio Hermanos Carreón, where Michael Myers powered the visitors with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, backed by Shaquille Johnson’s 22 points and Tyran de Lattineaudier’s 21 units. Panteras bounced back in the second outing to claim an 88-80 decision, despite a 30-point offensive performance from Shaquille Johnson and 16 points from Eric Washington.

Controlling Emotions on the Hardwood Remains the Primary Tactical Focus for the Puebla Coaching Staff

Jordi Guardia emphasized that maintaining mental discipline during critical moments will dictate the outcome of the remainder of the series. Guardia noted that the roster possesses sufficient veteran maturity to handle high-pressure playoff atmospheres. “The most important thing is to be able to control emotions,” Guardia said. “I think we have an experienced team with maturity. I think we have shown that we have been very focused, and that allowed us to win games.”

Guardia added that the coaching staff continues to reinforce a game-by-game mentality within the locker room following the narrow defeat in game two. “At the end of the day, as coaches, we try to convince them that this is very long, that a playoff is game by game,” Guardia told. “We have lost, but this Thursday we will have another opportunity at home.”

Arena BUAP Serves as the Temporary Fortress Due to Boxing Championship Occupying Gimnasio Miguel Hidalgo

Puebla will contest its home playoff games inside the Arena BUAP rather than its usual regular-season home at Gimnasio Miguel Hidalgo. The Miguel Hidalgo venue remains occupied by the 2026 Elite Pan-American Boxing Continental Championship, which is scheduled to run through October 25. If the two teams split the upcoming contests in Puebla, the series will head back to Aguascalientes for a decisive fifth game on Monday, October 26, at 20:30 local time at Auditorio Hermanos Carreón.