PUR - Lopez a star of stars with late score

BARCELONETA (Super Liga 25) - Ivan Lopez’s basket two seconds from the end gave Team B a 99-97 win over Team A in the Puerto Rican Super Liga 25’s All-Star Game.

The five teams that make up the second most important league in the Central American country were divided into two teams, with the winners formed by men who play at Capitalinos San Juan, Brujos Guayama and Indios Mayaguez.

Team A were formed by Supercariduros Fajardo and hosts Industriales Barceloneta players.

Pedro Vazquez’s Team A, with Alejandro Carmona, Rafael Perez, Christopher Vega as main figures, enjoyed an 18-point lead at half-time, with a 54-36 lead, but that advantage was cancelled out after the break.

Team B, coached by Uriel Cains, had Gabriel Colon, Sammy Villegas and Israel Pizarro as their stars, and Ivan Lopez top-scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the victors to be named the All-Star Game’s MVP.

Villegas added 16 points for Team B, while Supercariduros international guard Carmona recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds for Team A.

Christian Perez won the Slam-Dunk Contest, with Israel Pizarro as the best three-point shooter.

Super Liga 25 director Hugo Perez said: “We’ve chosen the best talent Puerto Rico have in Under-25 players. I think we’ve had a nice group of men, the best we have in the island.”

Reigning champions Supercariduros are the five-team league leaders with a 4-2 campaign, as they managed to extend the advantage over second-placed Capitalinos (3-2) by beating them 106-101.

Carmona top-scored 42 points (18-34 FG) to help the Fajardo-based side beat rock-bottomed Brujos 113-108 after one overtime, before the 84-82 defeat at Industriales.

Supercariduros’ last game before the All-Star Game saw them win 91-80 over Indios, with Carmona scoring 25 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

The best four teams of the first stage will advance to the semi-finals.

By Matias Greco
FIBA