Capitanes de Arecibo conquers BSN title
Capitanes de Arecibo has clinched the gold and is the Puerto Rico Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) 2016 champion after downing Vaqueros de Bayamón in Game 6 of the finals series. The 85-75 home win gave the Captains a 4-2 series win and the sixth BSN title in the history of the franchise. So often the dejected team, Arecibo has lost 10 finals runs in its history, but this time overcame the Cowboys with a disciplined performance.
Bayamon was in the chase to become the winningest team in Puerto Rican professional hoops, but the franchise will have to be content with its 14 titles for another season.
A game of two halves, Arecibo used home court advantage to pull away from Vaqueros in the second half. The hosts would pick up 10 more rebounds compared to Bayamon (37-27), while an unselfish attacking display saw the winners pass out 24 assists.
The first quarter saw both teams trade buckets and the lead, a high octane end-to-end production ended with a 19-19 showing on the scoreboard. The parity continued in the second frame as the lead continued to be passed around, both teams picking up 22 points to lock the score on 41-41 heading into the locker-room for the long rest. In the third act Arecibo emerged refreshed and rained down 21 points while keeping the visitors at 15 points, the first true lead had been established as Capitanes led 62-56 through thirty minutes. The hosts had the momentum and used it in a cruising 23-19 fourth quarter that settled the BSN title.
Renaldo Balkman doubled up in the win, collecting 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead six Capitanes players in double figures. Coty Clarke followed with 16 points and 6 dimes, while Cady Lalanne and Guillermo Diaz clinched 11 points apiece. Davon Jefferson contributed 11 points to the win and Walter Hodge netted for 10 points.
Peter Ramos reeled off a game high 23 points to pace the losing effort, followed by Andy Panko with 10 points. Jeleel Akinjele grabbed a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards in the loss.