Importadora Alvarado open Liga Nacional FEB 2026 with perfect 3-0 start as Ecuadorian basketball returns

The Liga Nacional FEB de Baloncesto Masculina 2026 is underway, and Importadora Alvarado have set the early pace with a perfect 3-0 record after dispatching Ambato Soldiers 87-75 on the road at Coliseo Mayor Ambato on Monday night.
The Ecuadorian men's top flight — which typically runs from mid-year but has tipped off earlier this season — features five teams: Importadora Alvarado, Golden Club Deportivo, Ambato Soldiers, ICCAN, and Tecniclub Cuenca. Through the first three rounds of play, Importadora have been the class of the field, outscoring opponents by an average of nine points per game and sitting two points clear at the top of the table.
Monday's victory in Ambato was their most complete performance yet. Hector Martinto (197-F-1994) came off the bench to lead all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting — including six three-pointers — while P. Paul Marigney (191-G-1982, college: SMC) II started and added 21 points on 8-of-15 from the field with five rebounds. E. Ayala contributed 12 points and four assists, and Marvin Cairo (203-C-1991) had 10 points and five rebounds as coach Lucas Gil's side shot 44 percent from the field and dished 11 assists.
Importadora set the tone from the opening tip, winning the first quarter 21-12 and extending their lead to 46-29 at halftime. Though Ambato outscored the visitors in the fourth quarter 25-19, the deficit was too large to overcome.
For Ambato, Romeo Smith (202-PF-1995, college: Missouri Valley, agency: BIG) was a one-man wrecking crew with 20 points and 12 rebounds — seven offensive — in 27 minutes off the bench. Steven Preciado (F-2006) Ganchozo added 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting and A. Salgado Sanchez had 15 points, but the Soldiers shot just 3-of-18 from three-point range (16.7%) and committed 19 turnovers — both fatal numbers against an Importadora side that converted those mistakes into 21 points off turnovers and 16 fast-break points.
Golden Club Deportivo sit second at 2-1 after an impressive start of their own, while Ambato drop to 1-1 with their first home loss. ICCAN (0-2) and Tecniclub Cuenca (0-2) are still searching for their first victories of the campaign.