Tournament Recap: 2025 Salsa Slam + Tigers Game Highlights
- Jonathan Salazar
- May 8
- 2 min read
Elevate Basketball Academy wrapped up another strong weekend of competition at the 2025 Albuquerque Salsa Slam, going 2-2 overall and making a run to the quarterfinals of bracket play. The tournament featured tough matchups, gritty performances, and one of the most exciting wins of the season so far — all captured in this week’s Tigers Game Highlight Package.
Watch the Highlights
“It’s not about how you start — it’s how you finish!”
EBA came up clutch in the opening round of bracket play, storming back late to defeat the Tigers of Albuquerque in dramatic fashion. With under two minutes to go, Marcus Vigil came up with a huge steal and finished through contact for a game-changing and-one. Moments later, Buster Salazar secured the go-ahead bucket on a putback to cap off an 8-0 closing run. Final score: EBA 48, Tigers 45.
Cruz Berkshire led the way with 15 points, Jerome Martinez added 10, and both Salazar and Vigil contributed 8 apiece. On the defensive end, Bryce Roybal delivered a standout performance, shutting down the Tigers’ quick guard and holding him scoreless in the second half.
Full Weekend Recap
Friday Night: EBA opened pool play with a tough matchup against the WTX Bullets out of Lubbock, Texas. The Bullets’ size and experience proved too much, and EBA fell 77-29. Buster Salazar scored 8, while Mateo Montoya and Cisco Chavez each added 7.
Saturday Morning: EBA rebounded with a strong 41-33 win over the Hawkeyes NM at The Fieldhouse. Jerome Martinez led all scorers with 10, Cruz Berkshire had 9, and Buster Salazar chipped in 8.
Saturday Afternoon: The Tigers game at Sandia Prep — featured above — gave EBA its second win of the weekend and a ticket to the quarterfinals.
Sunday Morning: EBA’s run came to an end with a loss to the Splash Boyz 29 out of El Paso, a physical and fast-paced team that capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities to pull away. Despite the loss, the weekend showed continued growth and resilience from Elevate’s roster.
Looking Ahead
With school and finals coming up, the team will take the month of May off from tournament play to focus on academics, recovery, and sharpening skills in the gym.
Next up: the El Paso Summer Jam, June 6–8.
Another great weekend of development, competition, and memories for EBA — and we’re only getting started.
Comments