Arecibo takes early BSN finals lead

The Puerto Rico BSN finals series is underway and the spoils of Game 1 went to Capitanes de Arecibo as the franchise overcame Leones de Ponce. It was a narrow game that went to the wire, with Arecibo winning 83-81 to take a 1-0 lead in the series as the team looks for its first BSN title since 2011. As for Ponce, they will go back to the drawing board for Game 2 today as the franchise looks to tie the series in pursuit of its first crown since 2004.

Walter Hodge paced Capitanes de Arecibo as he had throughout the semi-final series against Piratas de Quebradillas. A front runner for MVP, Hodge secured 23 points and 7 assists to add to his averages of 15 points and 7.2 dimes over the 5 game semi-final series. Renaldo Balkman also continued his good form by collecting his second consecutive double-double by adding 23 points and 11 boards to the winning effort.

Despite the quality of Balkman and Hodge, Leones had their own go to guys in the form of Mike Harris (18 points), Carlos Rivera and Ike Diogu with 17 apiece. Ponce had opportunities from the charity strip in the final quarter to snatch the win, but Angel Vasallo failed to convert the chances.