BTN News: The Titanes del Distrito Nacional are on the brink of advancing to the finals of the LNB (Liga Nacional de Baloncesto) after securing a crucial victory over the Cañeros del Este with a score of 83-78. This triumph, achieved in the second game of the B semifinal series, took place at the Polideportivo Eleoncio Mercedes, intensifying the race to the championship. With this win, the Titanes now lead the best-of-five series 2-0, placing them just one victory away from clinching a spot in the finals. The opportunity to seal their place in the championship round comes this Sunday when they face the Cañeros at the Polideportivo de San Cristóbal at 5:00 PM.
Jassel Pérez once again showcased his scoring prowess, leading the Titanes with an impressive 19 points, 28 of which were accumulated in the first half alone. His remarkable performance was supported by a balanced team effort, with five Titanes players scoring in double digits. The team displayed solid execution, shooting 45% from the field (30 of 67), while also dominating the boards with 41 rebounds. They added 17 assists to their performance, although they struggled slightly with ball control, recording 16 turnovers.
In addition to Pérez’s standout game, Jaquan Lightfoot contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Romeao Ferguson chipped in with 14 points. Richard Bautista added 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists, and Jonathan Araujo was a force inside with 10 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks.
On the other side, the Cañeros del Este, now facing a 0-2 deficit, fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome the Titanes’ dominance. Brandon Robinson and Yeison Colomé both scored 15 points, with Colomé adding four assists. Rayner Santana provided a solid contribution with 12 points and five rebounds, while Luis Santos recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Cañeros shot 41% from the field (31 of 75) and managed 35 rebounds, 17 assists, and 10 turnovers, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
The game’s quarters were a tale of two halves. The Titanes took control early, winning the second quarter decisively with a 34-16 scoreline, which gave them a cushion to withstand a late push from the Cañeros, who outscored them in the third and fourth quarters (16-24 and 17-20, respectively). Despite this, the Titanes’ early lead proved too much for the Cañeros to overcome.
In a special halftime ceremony, former player Andy Williams was honored by the Cañeros as his jersey, number 7, was retired, and he was inducted into the Cañeros Hall of Fame. Frank Elías Rainieri, president of the Cañeros, praised Williams for his contributions to the team and the city of La Romana. Williams, who captained the team to two championships and four finals appearances, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I always gave my all for La Romana. Thanks to the franchise, I am a son of this town.”
The ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Antonio Mir, president of the LNB, Roberto Modesto, president of the Titanes, and María Rodríguez, an executive of the Cañeros, among others.
Looking ahead, the LNB semifinals continue with a highly anticipated matchup between the Metros de Santiago and the Reales de La Vega. This third game of the A semifinal series, currently tied 1-1, will take place on Saturday night at 8:00 PM at the Palacio de los Deportes Fernando Teruel. Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome as both teams battle for a pivotal advantage in their quest for a spot in the finals.
As the LNB playoffs heat up, every game brings new excitement and drama, with teams leaving it all on the court in pursuit of the coveted championship. The Titanes are now just one win away from their ultimate goal, while the Cañeros must regroup and fight to keep their hopes alive.