Manatí tops Carolina to fill out BSNF semifinals field

Veteran Pamela Rosado had 19 points in a balanced Manatí scoring attack.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Atenienses of Manatí defeated the Gigantes of Carolina 81-69 on Wednesday night to secure their spot in the Final Four of the National Women’s Superior Basketball playoffs.

Manatí will face the Cangrejeras of Santurce in one best-of-five semifinal series starting Saturday night in San Juan, while the Explosivas of Moca and the Pollitas of Isabela, who advanced with wins on Tuesday, will face off in the other semifinal bracket starting Friday night in Moca.

The Atenienses used a balanced team effort to control the deciding game at Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Reyes Coliseum in Arecibo, building an eight-point lead at halftime and then holding off the Gigantes in the second half. Kaela Hilaire led the scoring with 23 points, while veteran Pamela Rosado contributed 19 points. Chelsea Mitchell and India Pagán added 12 points each.

Kiara Leslie led Carolina with 25 points, followed by Charity Harris with 22 points and Teana Muldrow with 11.