Atenienses, Pollitas, Criollas win in BSNF quarterfinals
By THE STAR STAFF
The Atenienses of Manatí, Pollitas of Isabela and Criollas of Caguas all notched victories on Sunday night in a trio of quarterfinal openers in the Women’s Superior National Basketball (BSNF by its initials in Spanish) league playoffs.
At Roger Mendoza Arena in Caguas, the Criollas defeated the Explosivas of Moca 68-61 to take the first game in their best-of-five series.
The Explosivas led 30-23 at halftime, but the Criollas ramped up their defensive intensity and began generating better offensive looks in the third quarter. Caguas used a 2-2-1 full-court press, alternating it with zone defenses that disrupted Moca’s ball movement. Ultimately, however, it was their improved offense that proved decisive. The Criollas took a 50-47 lead by the end of the third quarter and maintained their momentum through the final 10 minutes, while Moca struggled to score during critical stretches.
Still, the Explosivas wouldn’t go away. With 3:15 remaining, Moca’s Ashley Torres hit a spectacular three-pointer just as the shot clock expired, tying the game at 60-60. Caguas’ Taylor Robertson responded with another three-pointer, putting the home team back in the lead. After several scoreless possessions, Hillary Martínez of the Explosivas received the ball under the basket with just three seconds left on the shot clock and drew a personal foul. Martínez made one of her two free throws with 1:05 remaining, bringing Moca within two points at 63-61.
Katie Villarini of Caguas then delivered one of the game’s decisive plays, driving along the baseline to score a basket while drawing a personal foul. She completed the three-point play with 48 seconds left, extending the lead to 66-61.
With 29 seconds remaining, Tea Cooper sank two free throws for the Criollas’ final margin of victory.
Robertson led the Criollas with 21 points, and Dre’Una Edwards added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
All five Explosivas starters finished in double digits, led by Cierra Burdick’s 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Elsewhere, the Pollitas defeated the Leonas of Ponce 77-74 in overtime at José “Buga” Abreu Coliseum in Isabela.
After top-seeded Isabela and No. 8-seed Ponce played to a 67-67 standoff at the end of regulation, defensive pressure and offensive miscues ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Pollitas in the extra session. With Ponce leading 74-72 and 2:05 remaining, the Leonas gained possession off a jump ball, but turned the ball over when they were unable to cross midcourt in time. On the ensuing possession, Isabela’s Quionche “Che” Carter received the ball at the top of the arc and drove the left side of the lane to tie the game at 74.
After Ponce failed to get off a shot on its next possession, Carter again took charge for the Pollitas and scored on another drive to put Isabela ahead, 76-74, with 58 seconds remaining.
With time running out, the Leonas would not score again. A block by Emily Kiser on a shot attempt by Micah Gray with two seconds left dashed Ponce’s last hope, and a foul shot by Carter accounted for the final tally.
Camille Zimmerman led the Pollitas with 18 points and 11 rebounds, along with five assists.
Brittany Brewer had 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Leonas.
At Juan Aubín Cruz Coliseum in Manatí, the Atenienses defeated the Monarcas of Juana Díaz, 90-76.
The hosts, with five players scoring in double figures, led by as many as 20 points en route to the win.
Manatí’s Oderah Chidom, in an outstanding BSNF debut, had 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Another newcomer, Camryn Taylor, complemented that effort with 19 points and nine rebounds. The Atenienses also got 14 points from their bench, including 10 from rookie Abeliz Rodríguez.
Imani McGee was dominant in the paint once again for the Monarcas, scoring 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Only Tess Amundsen (13 points) also reached double figures for Juana Díaz, whose bench players contributed 17 points.
