Caguas's Criollas are born in women's basketball

What are the plans for the franchise joining the Forward movement? Co-owner John Herrero explains.

Betting on the sport's growth, community unity, and the winning formula they demonstrated this year, the Criollos de Caguas ownership group acquired the Montañeras de Morovis franchise, which will become the Criollas de Caguas in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino (BSNF) starting with the 2025 season.

"Los Criollos de Caguas were approved by the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino league to transfer the Morovis team to Caguas. So now Caguas has professional basketball with the champion Criollos and, following that, in 2025, we will have the Criollas de Caguas season in the BSNF," confirmed John Herrero, co-owner of both teams, in an interview with Platea.

The team includes standout players on the Puerto Rico National Team, such as Pamela Rosado and Katie Villarini, as well as a roster of "very competitive" players, he noted.

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The bet

"Our plan as a franchise is to continue developing a sports culture as a pillar for the youth and the people of the great city of Caguas. This is our second investment and foray into sports. We have several other plans to keep developing, as well as in the youth categories, as we did this year, when we had two novice teams, one junior team and one first-category team, all in men's basketball," Herrero said of the move.

In addition to Herrero, Omar Vargas is listed as co-owner and general manager.

"Soon we will be making more announcements about who will be coaching and who will be part of the technical staff. I expect that in January, once all the activities are over, we will hold a press conference," he said.

Keeping the Forward philosophy

The women's team now joins the Forward movement, a platform founded in 2018 to create economic development opportunities on the Island.

"Forward is a youth movement, an investment movement, a growth movement, an optimism movement. And what better channel to do that through than sports. Sports connects us, it connects us much better than other things," said Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures and owner of the Criollos de Caguas, in a previous interview with Platea.

For Herrero, the investment in this team, as they have done with the men's team, is a way "to give back to the Island that gave so much to us," referring to himself and his partner Elías.

"Ric and I met, we developed through sports, a large part of the skills we have as human beings today, or the qualities we have, we owe to sports, and it is about giving back to Puerto Rico through the tool that developed us," he said.

The co-owner pointed out that sports, beyond being wholesome family entertainment, helps build a cultural foundation and a sense of unity in the community, something they have experienced in La Ciudad del Turabo with the men's team and hope to replicate with the Criollas in women's basketball.

Asked about the importance of investing in women's sports, Herrero emphasized that the organization respects and celebrates the development of women as professional athletes. He also said that the Criollas will have "the same care, nutrition, training and court resources as the men's team, and we hope to bring a championship to Caguas in women's basketball as well."

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And what does he say to fans in Caguas?

He also counted on the support of Caguas residents for the new franchise. "Caguas knows what it means to have a professional women's team, to fill arenas and enjoy championships. They are there, they respect what the players do," he said.

"We continue to count on the support of all Cagüeños in the investments we are making in the great city of Caguas, through sports. We don't want it to stay only at the professional league level; we want to bring it to the minor leagues as well, but we definitely count on and need the support of the community."

John Herrero, co-owner of the Criollos and Criollas de Caguas

For Herrero, community support is key to sustaining the investment the group continues to make to expand the entertainment offerings in this municipality and the opportunities for girls and young people to develop and pursue sports.

"Be part of it, once we get started, be part of this rebirth and this development in Caguas. Just as we had the opportunity and the blessing of giving them a championship in men's basketball and they supported us, we hope they support us again this second year; when the Baloncesto Nacional Femenino gets going, we hope the town supports us on the court," he added.