Santeros take Game 1 of Conference B finals

Jalen Crutcher led the Leones de Ponce with 12 points in Game 1 of the BSN Conference B Finals against the Santeros de Aguada.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Santeros de Aguada defended their home court on Saturday, defeating the Leones de Ponce 93-70 in Game 1 of the National Superior Basketball League (BSN) Conference B Finals at the Ismael “Chavalillo” Delgado Coliseum.

Aguada took control of the game from the opening minutes. A 10-0 run, capped by a basket from John Holland, gave the home team a 19-10 lead with 2:28 remaining in the first quarter. The Santeros closed the opening period ahead 26-18.

The home team maintained its dominance throughout the first half, heading into halftime with a 44-35 advantage while keeping Ponce from mounting a comeback.

Iván Gandía led Aguada’s offense with 24 points, followed by John Holland with 18 and Joel Soriano with 16. Rigoberto Mendoza also contributed with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Leones, Jalen Crutcher paced the offense with 12 points. Thomas Robinson added 11 points, while Brady Manek finished with 10.

With the victory, the Santeros took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.