The Baloncesto Superior Nacional returns to the courts with significant changes, including a historic shift in the number of reinforcement players allowed, new leadership for the legendary Vaqueros de Bayamón, and the defending champions Criollos de Caguas.
📈 Número mágico:
📈 David Huertas: He surpassed 6,000 career points in the last game against the Criollos de Caguas. Also, Javier Mojica became the first player in the league to reach 600 steals.
📈 Sold out: The Wednesday, April 2 game at Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón. A full house also followed a victory (81-68) for the Cangrejeros de Santurce.
Did you know…
La Guerra del BSN published a breakdown of ticket prices for each franchise, from general admission to luxury boxes. Find out here.
What happened in the off-season?
1. New leadership in Bayamón 🏀
This season, music producer Eric Duars and Carlos Arroyo are taking on new roles in the BSN, making their debuts as owner and general manager of the Vaqueros de Bayamón, respectively.
Former Major League Baseball player Yadier Molina served as the team's owner from 2020 to 2024, a period during which Bayamón went through significant changes and won two championships. Last season, the roster saw key changes, including the departure of players such as Ángel Rodríguez and Benito Santiago Jr.
For this new chapter, the Vaqueros will have Christian Dalmau as their head coach, following his recent stint with the Indios de Mayagüez. Can the Vaqueros reclaim their dominance in the BSN?
2. This is what the 2025 season will sound like 🎶
As is tradition, the BSN unveils its new official jingle for the season. This year the featured act is Los Pleneros de la Cresta. (If the name rings a bell, it's because they recently appeared on Bad Bunny's album in the song "Café con Ron.")
3. New reinforcement limit ⛹🏻
This year, the league approved a significant change: each team will be allowed three reinforcement players during the season. The decision generated controversy, however, as several local players voiced their disagreement, arguing that the measure reduces opportunities for homegrown talent to shine in the league.
Despite the criticism, the motion was backed by 11 of the 12 teams, meaning there will be a total of 36 reinforcement players in competition, with no nationality restrictions.
How will this rule affect the level of competition this year?
4. 2024 championship celebration
The Criollos de Caguas will receive their championship rings at the season opener, when they face the Osos de Manatí, the same team they defeated in an intense finals series that ended 4-3 in their favor.
The seventh and deciding game was played at Coliseo Roger Mendoza, home of the Criollos, where the new season will also tip off.
Learn about Criollarte: The team has an exhibit on the second floor of the Centro de Bellas Artes in Caguas. There you can see more than 50 years of franchise history through photos and memorabilia. The exhibit is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📲 Also in Platea: Get the details on the exhibit tracing the history of the Criollos
✍️ Latest signings
André Curbelo will play with the Atléticos de San Germán and Eddie Casiano this season.
The Vaqueros de Bayamón have signed three former NBA players: Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee and Chris Duarte, players with experience in the top league in the world as recently as last year.
Friday, Jan. 4: Gigantes vs. Cangrejeros in San Juan, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 5: Criollos vs. Leones in Ponce, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 5: Santeros vs. Piratas in Quebradillas, 8 p.m.
April 4: Gigantes vs. Cangrejeros – Coliseo Roberto Clemente, 8PM
April 5: Santeros vs. Piratas – Coliseo Raymond Dalmau, 8PM
April 5: Criollos vs. Leones – Auditorio Juan Pachín Vicens, 8PM
April 5: Capitanes vs. Osos – Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz, 8PM
April 6: Vaqueros vs. Indios – Palacio de Recreación y Deportes, 8PM
April 7: Criollos vs. Santeros – Coliseo Ismael Chavalillo, 8PM
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
