COLICEBA 2026 postseason matchups set
By THE STAR STAFF
The Central Amateur Baseball League Confederation (COLICEBA) earlier this week finalized the eight teams that will compete in the 2026 postseason sectional mini-series, which begin on Nov. 13 with best-of-three matchups.
In the North Section, the Atléticos of Barranquitas will face the Guapos of Dorado, while the Jardineros of Aibonito will take on the Sabaneros of Cidra in the Central Section.
In the South Section, the Ganduleros of Villalba will play the Guayacanes of Guayanilla. In the East, the Azucareros of Yabucoa will face the Jueyeros of Maunabo.
Each mini-series winner will qualify for the “Carnaval de Campeones” (Champions’ Carnival), joining the four teams that have already secured direct entry by finishing as leaders of their respective sections: the Caciques of Orocovis (North), Tigres of Aguas Buenas (Central), Bucaneros of Arroyo (South), and Marlins of Ceiba (East).
The playoff picture was finalized following the weekend’s results. On Friday, Maunabo defeated Río Grande 4-3, Gurabo beat Yabucoa 5-2, and Cidra topped Comerío 8-4.
On Saturday, Gurabo eliminated Río Grande from playoff contention with a 7-3 victory.
Meanwhile, Yabucoa won both games of their doubleheader against Maunabo -- with scores of 6-5 and 9-5 -- to clinch second place in the East Section.
On Sunday, Villalba defeated Guayanilla 6-5, a result that confirmed Arroyo as the first-place team in the South Section. Before the start of the mini-series, COLICEBA will hold its 2026 All-Star Game this Saturday at 5 p.m. at Francisco Rosario Paoli Stadium in Maunabo.
The “Carnaval” is slated to begin on Nov. 20, with its eight teams ranked from first to eighth place to determine the quarterfinal matchups: 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. Each series in the “Carnaval” will be a best-of-five.
