Vaqueros whip Capitanes, reclaim top spot in conference

Brady Manek (45) scored 21 points for Ponce in a loss to Quebradillas.

Quebradillas downs Ponce with late run 

By THE STAR STAFF

The Vaqueros of Bayamón used smothering defense and a high-velocity transition game in a 105-63 thrashing of the outmanned Capitanes of Arecibo at Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón on Tuesday night. 

With the victory, the defending champions returned to first place in Conference A of the Superior National Basketball league, while struggling Arecibo -- which played without six players due to injury -- dropped its fifth straight game.

After establishing a modest double-digit lead at halftime, the Vaqueros (18-10) led by as many as 48 points in the second half.

Newcomer Jassel Pérez finished with 23 points for Bayamón, followed by Stephen Thompson Jr. with 22, as a dozen players made it into the scoring column.

Malachi Smith scored 17 points off the bench to lead Arecibo (14-10).

At Raymond Dalmau Coliseum in Quebradillas, meanwhile, the host Piratas defeated the Leones of Ponce, 90-84.

The Leones, who saw a 14-point advantage disappear in the second quarter, reclaimed the lead one last time in the fourth quarter when Christian Negrón combined a hook shot and a free throw to put Ponce up 78-76 with 5:38 on the clock.

But the Piratas rallied again with a 14-3 surge, capped by a Wilo Cruz three-pointer, to pull away for good at 90-81 with 1:07 left to play.

Víctor Liz and Emmanuel Mudiay led Quebradillas (9-19) with 20 points each, while Phillip Wheeler added 19 points.

Jalen Crutcher finished with 21 points and seven assists for Ponce (11-17), while Brady Manek contributed another 21 points and seven rebounds. Negrón added 14 points, and Alejandro Vázquez chipped in with 12.