Sports fans in the town of Manatí, a municipality with a baseball tradition, had their first modern contact with the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) when the Atenienses de Manatí franchise was established there in 2014.
That tentative experiment ended quietly in 2017 without much to show for it.
The team was relocated to the eastern part of the Island as the Cariduros de Fajardo, and the place known as the Athens of Puerto Rico went silent, waiting for professional basketball to return to its local court.
That wait ended in 2022, when a revival of national interest in the BSN caught the attention of urban music artist Ozuna, who decided to acquire the Brujos de Guayama franchise and move it to the northern municipality under the name Osos de Manatí.
In 2024, the BSN saw the Osos de Manatí reach the runner-up position. This year, the Coliseo Juan Aubín Cruz Abreu is eager to become the home of future champions in 2025.
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How many championships have they won?
At the moment, the Osos de Manatí are the only active franchise in the BSN without a championship to their name. That is natural, of course, since they are the league's youngest franchise.
The team has also looked prepared so far in the 2024 season to enter the playoffs again, if it maintains its current trends of play.
Where do they play, and how can you get to Manatí?
Despite their limited history, the Osos de Manatí have left a lasting mark on the BSN through their impressive coliseo, the Juan Aubín "Bincito" Cruz Abreu, one of the most modern and welcoming in the league.
The facility seats 6,500 spectators and has parking, and is located along PR-670, a few minutes from the municipal historic downtown.
Bars and restaurants nearby after the game
Manatí is a warm town known for its beaches and its mountainous karst interior, which gives you the chance to enjoy a wide variety of food and drink.
For seafood, options include the restaurant Costa Azul; for local cooking, there is Campito. You can enjoy a solid selection of beers at PIGS Berr Garden.
Things to do before and after the game
Manatí has a number of beaches, including Las Palmas Beach, La Poza de las Mujeres and Playa la Esperanza.
Discover more beaches to visit this weekend here.
If you are feeling adventurous, not far from the Coliseo you will find the Manantial de Guayaney, where you can enjoy a walk through nature.
Who makes up the team?
Iván Ríos serves as head coach of the Osos and leads a roster that includes players such as Norris Cole, who averaged 18.9 points per game in the 2024 season, Chris Ortiz (17.9) and Alexander Morales (14.8).
How did the Osos de Manatí do in the 2024 season?
The Osos de Manatí had a notable 2024 season in the BSN. They finished as runners-up in the league, after an exciting championship series against the Criollos de Caguas that went to seven games.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
