June 12, 2026 - 5:04 PM. The Cangrejeros de Santurce are showing a new level of confidence on the court. After the departure of head coach Nelson Colón and import Malik Beasley, the team has achieved a 6-3 record, positioning themselves back in the fight for a playoff spot in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). With Colón, Santurce was at the bottom of Conference A with a 6-11 record, but under the guidance of experienced coach David Rosario and with the return of import Ian Clark, the team seems to be playing its best basketball in this final stretch of the regular season.
The contribution of reinforcement D.J. Wilson, who averages 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds over seven games, has been key to the team's resurgence. Despite the progress, veteran point guard Walter Hodge Jr. warned that there is still room for improvement and to become a true threat in the league. “I think they should be afraid because we are not playing our best basketball,” Hodge Jr. stated after the 98-92 victory over the Indios de Mayagüez. “We are understanding our roles. They will see us,” he added.
The Cangrejeros returned to the Coliseo Roberto Clemente after a three-week road trip, finishing with a 4-2 record, achieving victories over Arecibo, Manatí, Aguada, and San Germán. With Thursday's win, Santurce improved their record to 12-14, tying with the Guaynabo Mets for the fourth and final playoff spot in Conference A. The team has shown a remarkable adaptation to Rosario's playing style, who returns to the BSN after some time away.
Isaiah Piñeiro, a forward for the Cangrejeros, commented: “I feel like we were able to close out close games, something we weren't doing at the beginning of the season.” With only eight games remaining in the regular season, Santurce faces a crucial challenge, including three matchups against the Gigantes de Carolina-Canóvanas. Hodge Jr. emphasized the urgency of each game, stating that “every game will be a championship for us.”
The team is also awaiting the return of point guard Jordan Howard, who is absent due to paternity leave. With confidence on the rise and a more cohesive strategy, the Cangrejeros de Santurce are ready to face the playoff challenge.