Austin Gamblers: 263.25 / Kansas City Outlaws: 257
GLENDALE, Ariz. – PBR Team Series No. 1 draft pick Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) won another game for the Austin Gamblers with another late-frame ride, as the Gamblers came from two bulls down to beat the Kansas City Outlaws, 263.25-257, in their second game at the final PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series regular-season event in Glendale, Arizona.
The game-winning ride had added significance, as it made Leme the 2022 season’s MVP.
The Gamblers, 15-12 on the season, have now won three of their last four games and are 2-0 in Glendale as they attempt to win their third event in the 10-event Teams season on Sunday.
Leading off for the Gamblers was Brazilian rider Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil), who recorded an 88-point score that was instrumental in his team’s win. Continuing his successful weekend, Divino conquered Milk Mustache (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) for 87 points to put the Gamblers in the lead.
Firing back was Kansas City’s Rafael Dos Santos (Sebastianopolis, Brazil) aboard Back Jack (Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger). Outlaws head coach J.W. Hart was shouting at full volume on the back of the chutes as the clock ticked down and Dos Santos put the team on the board with 88.25 points.
As the second frame got underway with the Gamblers sitting 1.25 points behind Kansas City, Austin’s Ramon De Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) was bucked off by Wrecked Out (4B Bucking Bulls).
Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) was quick to answer in the bottom of the second after he was in complete control aboard Bubba G (Dakota Rodeo/ Brian & Ashley Pintar/ Clay Struve/ Chad Berger), putting 86 points on the board for Kansas City, who now led 175.25-87.
In the top of the third, Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) tried to put a second score on the board for Austin. Throttled by Surprise Package (Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger), Mitchell was awarded a re-ride.
The Outlaws’ Dalton Rudman (Wellington, Utah) put Austin even further in the rearview mirror as he netted an 82.75-point ride aboard Klay Maker (4B Bucking Bulls). Kansas City then led 257-178.25.
In the top of the fourth, newly inked Gamblers rider Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) rattled the opposing team when he sailed through the air aboard hard-bucking WSM’s Time in a Bottle (Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger) for a monstrous 91.25-point score.
Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri) then attempted CR’s Speckled T (Mann Creek Bucking Bulls) for Kansas City but was awarded a re-ride.
With the Gamblers still sitting 78.75 points behind the Outlaws, Leme climbed aboard Chainsaw (Benavides/ Bucking Bulls/Marin Roofing/Sandoval), knowing that a qualified ride would not only send his team into the lead but also clinch the MVP award. His 85-point score sent his teammates and fans into a frenzy as Austin took the lead and Leme locked up the season’s MVP honors, carrying with it a $50,000 bonus.
Kansas City still had two chances to move into the lead. Their typical closer Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) was unable to close in the bottom of the fifth, while Hevalow was bucked off his re-ride bull in 5.52 seconds.
The Gamblers will seek their third game victory at PBR’s Ridge Rider Days on Sunday, Oct. 16, when they face off with the host Arizona Ridge Riders (1-1 | 15-12). The Kansas City Outlaws are now 12-15 on the season and will look to rebound during the third round of games when they play the Oklahoma Freedom (0-2 | 15-12).
PBR’s Ridge Rider Days continues Sunday, October 16 at 1:45 p.m. MST. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Glendale. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.