Atenienses & Cangrejeras open BSNF quarterfinals with wins

India Pagán (pictured) and Kaela Hilaire led the Atenienses of Manatí with 21 points each.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Atenienses of Manatí and the Cangrejeras of Santurce got off to a good start in their respective Women’s National Superior Basketball Championship (BSNF by its initials in Spanish) best-of-3 quarterfinal series by notching important victories on Saturday.

At Juan A. Cruz Abreu Coliseum in Manatí, the Atenienses defeated the Gigantes of Carolina 85-81 in overtime in a thrilling Series D opener. Manatí dominated much of the game, but Carolina forced overtime by tying the score at 77 before the end of regulation.

During the extra session, the Gigantes took an 81-77 lead with 3:15 left in the game, but a final 8-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws by India Pagán with seven seconds left, sealed the victory for the hosts.

Pagán and Kaela Hilaire led Manatí’s offense with 21 points each. Pamela Rosado added 13 points, while Chelsea Mitchell and Kiki Jefferson each added 11 points. Mitchell also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Teana Muldrow led the way for Carolina with a double-double of 22 points and 17 rebounds. Kiara Leslie scored 17 points, while Aisha Sheppard, Charity Harris and Tayra Meléndez had 15, 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The series continues tonight at Carolina’s Guillermo Angulo Coliseum, and a third game, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday in Manatí.

Meanwhile, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey, the Cangrejeras of Santurce dominated the Monarcas of Juana Díaz, 79-62 in the Series A quarterfinal opener.

Becca Tobin led Santurce with 20 points, followed by Kamaria McDaniel and Shae Kelley with 19 points each. Kelley also led the way in rebounds with 18.

Imani McGee had 21 points and 20 rebounds for Juana Díaz, while Tess Amundsen added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Emily Lytle finished with 12 points.

The second game of the series will be played tonight in Juana Díaz. A third game, if necessary, will be played on Wednesday in San Juan. The winner of the series will face the winner of the Atenienses-Gigantes matchup in the BSNF semifinals.

The other quarterfinals were to continue Sunday night with the Pollitas of Isabela (1-0) visiting the Criollas of Caguas (0-1), and the Explosivas of Moca (0-1) facing the Ganaderas of Hatillo (1-0) at Raymond Dalmau Coliseum in Quebradillas.