Leones de Ponce shape up for duel at home

PONCE (DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019) – Carlos Arroyo, Ángel Daniel Vassallo and Adrian Uter are some of the main pieces of Leones de Ponce (Puerto Rico), hosts of Group D of the DIRECTV Liga de las Américas 2019 at Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium.

The southern five will try to not fail against their people in a very difficult bracket in which they’ll welcome Puerto Rican champions Capitanes de Arecibo, Venezuelans Guaros de Lara and Estudiantes de Panamá from February 8 to 10.

With this objective in sight, they have tried to build a solid roster under the lead of Wilhelmus Caanen.

Other names that’ll be on the court with the Lions are Dominican scorer Víctor Liz, as well as José Guitián and Derek Reese. Also, their most recent additions, Point Guard Alvin Cruz and forward Nick Minnerath.

“Alvin has had experience in Liga de las Américas, knows Carlos Arroyo and the rest of the team members. That's important because we don't have much time to prepare,” said Gabriel Ortiz, the team’s General Manager, to news outlet Primera Hora.

Cruz and Minnerath will be responsible for covering for veterans Carlos Rivera and Peter John Ramos who, due to commitments overseas, won't be available for the continental event.

“Rivera should arrive mid-April and Ramos by the end of March to play in the BSN (Puerto Rican national league),” said co-owner Oscar Misla Villalba to newspaper La Perla del Sur.

Ponce was scheduled to start to train on the 14th of this month.

FIBA