Arecibo rallies to beat Mayagüez in OT.

Arecibo’s Juan Pablo Piñeiro launches the game-winning shot with two seconds left in overtime.

Aguada tops Quebradillas in extra session, Bayamón edges Santurce

By THE STAR STAFF

The Capitanes of Arecibo came from behind to force overtime and then erased a five-point deficit in the extra session to defeat the Indios of Mayagüez 101-99 in the final second of overtime on Sunday night in a Superior National Basketball league game at Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum in Arecibo.

The Santeros of Aguada and the Vaqueros of Bayamón were the evening’s other winners.

The Indios led 50-44 at halftime, but Arecibo stayed close, trailing 71-68 going into the fourth quarter.

The drama unfolded in the final seconds of regulation time. Mayagüez led by three points on a basket by Josué Erazo, but Derrick Walton responded with a three-pointer to tie the score at 91 with just 18 seconds remaining.

Regulation time ended in a tie, necessitating an additional five minutes of play.

The Indios managed to build a five-point lead in extra time, but the Capitanes rallied once again. Jack McVeigh tied the game at 99, and subsequently, Juan Pablo Piñeiro scored what would be the game-winning basket with one second left on the clock.

The Indios had one final opportunity but failed to convert, allowing the Capitanes to celebrate another home victory.

Walton finished with 25 points and 11 assists to lead Arecibo (12-4), while Justin Reyes and Timothy Soares scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, and McVeigh contributed 19.

Nathan Sobey had 22 points and 10 assists for Mayagüez (8-10), while Tyrell Harrision had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Elsewhere, the Santeros defeated the Piratas of Quebradillas 96-94 in overtime at Ismael “Chavalillo” Delgado Coliseum in Aguada.

The Santeros led 47-35 at the half, but the Piratas whittled away at the lead before evening the score at 88 late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

In the extra session, the Santeros executed better at key moments and secured a home victory.

Iván Gandía led the Santeros (9-8) with 17 points and 7 assists. Rigoberto Mendoza added 15 points, while Manny Camper and Giancarlo Rosado contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Emmanuel Mudiay led the Piratas (4-14) with 26 points and 7 assists.

At the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, the Vaqueros defeated the Cangrejeros of Santurce, 82-80.

The Cangrejeros led 43-36 at halftime on the strength of a  26-12 run in the second quarter, but the game shifted sharply in the third frame as Bayamón dominated the period 30-11 to regain the lead, 66-54, heading into the final 10 minutes.

In the closing moments, Santurce managed to pull within a single possession following a layup by Jordan Howard that brought the score to 81-80. However, the Vaqueros added a free throw and thwarted the Cangrejeros on their final possession to secure the road victory.

Xavier Cooks led Bayamón (12-8) with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Jae Crowder added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaylin Galloway contributed 15 points.

Chinanu Onuaku and Corey McKeithan led Santurce (6-11) with 14 points apiece.