After 12 years, walking down Méndez Vigo, Candelaria and José de Diego streets, all anyone talks about is basketball, something that hasn't been the case since the team won the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) championship in 2012.
The squad coached by Christian Dalmau has left the whole country in awe with its strong first half of the season.
Over the past 6 games, Mayagüez has come out on top in 4 of them to bring its record to 10-7 and sit in second place in Section A of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.
The team also has the best home record in the entire league, going 8-1 at the Palacio de Recreación y Deportes, Germán Wilkins Vélez.
"The discipline, continuity and stability we have given each player within the franchise has brought us closer to the identity we want as a team. It is extremely important to us that players feel and proudly represent the Mayagüez colors," said Franklin Román, the team's general manager, outlining some of the keys to their success.
Throughout the season, the Indios have been defined by their strong defense, intensity and team play in building wins.
Who has stood out?
Several players on the roster have made their mark, among them: Jordan Cintrón, one of the most defensive players in the league; captain Georgie Pacheco, the team's offensive spark; and their two reinforcements, Nick Perkins and Milton Doyle, who adapt each night to whatever the team needs.
The confidence the coaching staff and management have placed in role players such as Jeff Early, Alonzo Ortiz and Owen Pérez, giving them quality minutes, has turned the team's performance around completely.
This has happened even without one of their offensive weapons, Kyle Viñales, who has missed recent weeks due to injury.
"Our team is very defensive, young, scrappy and goes out every night to play hard for 40 minutes regardless of the opponent. Despite the mistakes that have cost us wins, we have seen them grow as a group, and that makes us harder and harder to beat," the general manager said.
A look at Pacheco's performance, 2022-2024
Pacheco, with 16.4 PPG, 55% FG, 3.2 AST and 2.9 REB, will continue leading the offense for an Indios team that shows no signs of slowing down.
Games for the week of May 16-18
This week they will keep looking to add wins when they visit the Mets de Guaynabo (Thursday, May 16) and host the Atléticos de San Germán (Saturday, May 18) in the Clásico del Oeste.
"We are very competitive; we are not here just to participate. Last year we made it to the quarterfinals, and this year we want to set our sights on the semifinals. We understand the level of competition in the league and that it won't be easy, but our goal is not going to change," Román concluded.
From Guanajibo to Leguisamo, you can feel this franchise's hunger to climb back to the top of the league.
A hometown team that chants #SomosUno with one goal: to win.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
