Leones win in double OT to force Game 6 in BSN B Finals
By THE STAR STAFF
The Leones of Ponce defeated the Santeros of Aguada 106-105 in double overtime on Sunday night, forcing a Game 6 in the National Superior Basketball (BSN by its initials in Spanish) Conference B Finals.
The Leones rallied from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to stave off elimination in a dramatic Game 5 at Ismael “Chavalillo” Delgado Coliseum in Aguada.
Jezreel de Jesús once again came up big for Ponce, converting three free throws with 17 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 85-85 and set up overtime. The point guard finished with 25 points to lead the Leones.
In the closing seconds of regulation, Ponce’s Johned Walker stole the ball from Manny Camper but missed a buzzer-beating three-point attempt that would have won the game.
In the first overtime period, Aguada took a 92-90 lead on a jump shot by Joel Soriano with 56 seconds left. However, Thomas Robinson responded with a hook shot that tied the score at 92, forcing a second extra period. Before the buzzer sounded, Iván Gandía had a chance to secure the win for the Santeros but missed the shot.
In the second overtime, Camper put Aguada back in front, 105-104, with 22 seconds remaining; however, following a timeout called by Ponce head coach Carlos Rivera, Jalen Crutcher drove to the basket for a layup, putting the Leones ahead 106-105 with 15 seconds on the clock.
Aguada still had one final opportunity. After a timeout called by head coach Rafael “Pachy” Cruz, John Holland, Gandía and Leandro Allende all missed their respective shot attempts, sealing the victory for the visitors.
In addition to De Jesús’ output, Ponce got 22 points and nine rebounds from Robinson. Jalen Crutcher had a double-double with 16 points and 13 assists, Alejandro Vázquez added 15 points and seven rebounds, and Brady Manek finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Soriano finished with a double-double of 32 points and 16 rebounds for Aguada. Holland scored 23 points, Camper had 19, and Rigoberto Mendoza added 15.
The Santeros, who went into halftime trailing by a field goal, rallied after the break to pull ahead 57-46 after three quarters.
With the win, the Leones narrowed the series deficit to 3-2 and forced a Game 6 tonight at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce.
