the runners-up Tarzans of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) of Mayagüez dramatically qualified for the Interuniversity Athletic League (LAI) basketball final.
They beat the Halcones of the Central University of Bayamón (UCB) in overtime with a score of 92-87. The Tarzans’ rivals for the vacant championship will be the American University Pirates. The first game will be on Sunday at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns auditorium in Ponce, from 8:30 p.m.
“It is a big victory. It was something we wanted. When we arrived at the College I wanted to put the team on the map and fight for the medals. We already have two finals in the last three seasons we have played in the LAI. We will continue to do our best for the boys as long as we are in this project. It is a great pride. We are now in the final,” said Xavier Aponte, who on Friday decided to resign as manager of the Indios de Mayagüez in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).
The Halcones de UCB had been inspired by the series for having eliminated the 2019 champion, the Gallitos de la UPR de Río Piedras. They were leading by three points, 78-75, with 17.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. There was enough time on the clock for Ariel Guzmán to hit a three-point bomber to tie the game, 78-78.
The UCB requested an emergency time to reorganize the game. They were able to go to the free throw line with Randy Fonseca due to a foul committed by Jeriel Zayas, both teams being on bonus. Fonseca only collected one of the two attempts, 79-78.
The clock was in favor of the LAI runner-up team with 16.6 seconds and possession of the ball. With 9.8 seconds remaining, Franky Ramos was fouled under the basket to go to the free throw line. The tarzan was productive to tie the game 79-79, since he missed the second attempt. Yadiel Cochran had one last chance for the Tarzans with 5.6 seconds left. He was fouled but couldn’t capitalize, forcing overtime.
“This is what we fought for all season. It was such a difficult and pressure time for them. We only had to do four to five positions in a row and we wouldn’t lose at home”, Aponte said.
Mayagüez’s defense held on to close out the match 92-87.
“They were not removed. They fought over this. There is no better feeling than this. They didn’t give anything away. It is a very nice feeling of gratitude, “said Aponte.
Tough rival in the Pirates
The Tarzans will have a tough nut to crack in the final against the American University Pirates.
Aponte stated that “it will be a strong series” for the talent that the Pirates have.
“Talent for talent, they are the team to win. I understand that my boys are going to score well with them. My team defends well. It counters well,” she assessed.
“They (Pirates) are going to score and take advantage of the offense. I am a defensive team, I have a team with a great IQ (intelligence coefficient) and they always find where to attack. I trust them and they came out of the series healthy,” added Aponte.
The last college championship was in the 1992-1993 season, under the direction of Johnny Flores. For its part, American University obtained its last coronation in 2012.
On the other hand, the UCB Halcones and the Ana G. Méndez University Taínos will play on May 3 at 4:30 pm for third place.
