The Athletics roll over the Capitanes and move one win away from their first BSN final in 25 years

San German – Jose “Money” Rodriguez scored 19 points and San German Athletics responded today, Saturday, despite imported point guard Nate Mason, Jr. being injured due to injury, with a resounding victory, 83-67, over the Captains of Arecibo that placed them at the gates of their first final of the National Superior Basketball (BSN) in 25 years in a noisy Arquelio Torres coliseum.

With their third consecutive win in the semifinal series, the quintet led by former national coach Eddie Casiano He walked away 3-1 and could hit the defending champion this Monday at the Manuel “Petaca” Iguina Coliseum. In the process, the A’s increased their home winning streak to 16.

San Germán is looking for its first final since 1997, the year in which they won their fourteenth and last title in the league and with Casiano as their star player.

The “Orange Monster” arrived at the meeting with the news of the injury of Mason, Jr., who hurt his left ankle after colliding with the leg of Capitanes shooting guard Víctor Liz in a three-point play in the victory of San Germán last Thursday.

Liz received an unsportsmanlike foul for the blow and today, before the fourth game, Casiano pointed out, in statements to The new dayto the Dominican basket player as the person responsible for the departure of Mason, Jr. The accusation aroused the fury of the Sangermeña fans, who booed Liz from her entrance to the court to warm up.

Liz finished the game with 14 points for the Capitanes, whose manager, former player Rafael “Pachy” Cruzwas sent off in the second half of the challenge.

Reserve forward Onzie Branch grew with 17 points for the A’s. Tjader Fernández and rookie Eric Ayala stood out with 11 and 10 points respectively, and Will Daniels was activated by Mason, Jr., to finish with 10 points and three rebounds. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson only had six points but had 10 rebounds and eight assists.

The Capitanes responded to Cruz’s call and appeared aggressive to the basket in the first minutes of the game, going away on the scoreboard, 10-5, amid the massive boos to Liz. However, long-range marksmanship was not in his favor.

Arecibo missed nine triples in the first period and San Germán came into play with seven points from “Money” Rodríguez, plus five from Ayala in his new role in the absence of Mason, Jr., to take the first quarter to the sound of 20 -12 .

The Capitanes reserves tried to put the visiting quintet on the line with five goals from Christian Pizarro y Raymond Cintronbut the Athletics were energized by the support of the home fans with basket of Luis “Pelacoco” Hernández Matíastriple by “Money” Rodríguez and a basket with a foul by Daniels to get away 30-17.

Arecibo was unrecognizable against some Athletics who showed more enthusiasm. The locals finished the first half with an 18-5 run that left the Capitanes with just 22 points. Casiano’s troops responded amply and suffered no adverse effects from the offensive inefficiency of Hollis-Jefferson (two points), who did contribute seven assists.

Arecibo had a disastrous first half shooting just 29 percent from the field and making just two 3-pointers in 15 attempts.

The total collapse of the Capitanes was consummated in the third period. “Money” Rodríguez attacked the basket and had contact with Mexican center Gustavo Ayón, who claimed the offensive foul against official José Quiñones. The discussion led to a technical foul for Ayón.

Immediately afterwards, Cruz entered the field to confront the decision and in the exchange he also received an infraction. The gesture aroused the fury of the mentor captain, who had to be held by the security personnel of the quintet, in addition to the general manager Ángel García, after being expelled from the match by referee Jorge Vázquez.

With assistant Xavier Aponte at the helm, the Capitanes tried to regroup and closed out the chaotic period with a 19-8 run to trail 68-47 heading into the final quarter.

Arecibo, who trailed by up to 32 points, reduced the deficit to 14 points in the fourth quarter, but the advance did not dampen the inspiration of the A’s.

Walter Hodge, Jr., the regular season MVP, finished with 12 points, and David Huertas had 10 in the tough loss.