Maratonistas de Coamo

Maratonistas de Coamo
Leagues BSN
Founded 1985
Arena Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum
(Capacity:5,000)
Location Coamo, Puerto Rico
Team colors Red, Yellow, Black
              
Head coach Pedro Cintrón
Championships
Website http://www.coamomaratonistas.com
Uniforms
Home
Away

The Maratonistas de Coamo are a BSN basketball team based in Coamo, Puerto Rico. Their home court is the Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum.

Formerly the Cardenales de Río Piedras, the Maratonistas were relocated in 1985.[1]

Contents

Franchise history

1940s-1985: Cardenales de Río Piedras

The Maratonistas' previous incarnation, the Cardenales de Río Piedras, were formed in the 1940s. Early in their history they appeared in several Finals, winning their first championship in 1946 against the Capitanes de Arecibo. From 1955 to 1957, the team won three championships in a row. The team kept enjoying success during the following years, reaching the Finals in three more occasions (1959, 1960, 1962).

The team won their last championship in 1963 led by players like Juan Báez and others. After that, the team reached the Finals four more times. During the 1970s, the team played their home games at Rubén Zayas Montañez Court.[2]

In 1985, the Cardenales de Río Piedras were relocated to Coamo under the name of the Maratonistas de Coamo.

1985-1998: First decade and relocations

After their relocation to Coamo, the Maratonistas enjoyed some success with the arrival of players like Dean Borges, Darryl Cambrelén, Pablito Alicea, and Joao "Pipoca" Vianna, among others.

However, in 1996, the team was relocated again to Villalba, under the name of Avancinos de Villalba. The team remained in Villalba for three years.[3]

1999-2008: Return to Coamo and resurgence

In 1999, the team returned to Coamo under the ownership of Fernando Ortíz. The team included young players like Carlos Escalera, Miguel Ali Berdiel, Christian Dalmau, and NCAA prospect Filiberto Rivera.

In 2004, the Maratonistas had their best season to date. Two of their players, Gabriel Mouneke and Carlos Escalera, were selected Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player respectively.[4] Coamo reached the BSN Finals against the Leones de Ponce, but lost on a seventh game to Ponce.

In 2008, the team was forced to recess due to financial problems.

2011-present: Return to BSN

In 2011, the team returned to the league led by 2007 Rookie of the Year Johwen Villegas.[5]

Notable current or former players

References

  1. ^ Historia Maratonistas de Coamo on Maratonistas.org
  2. ^ Un "tesoro escondido" on El Vocero; Ortuzar, José (February 11, 2011)
  3. ^ Christian Dalmau la nueva bujía vaquera on El Todo (May 8, 2009)
  4. ^ Los Maratonistas repetirán a Gabriel Mouneke on Primera Hora; Garriga, Ray (March 5, 2005)
  5. ^ Los Maratonistas regresan al BSN on Primera Hora; Alzága, Raúl (March 25, 2011)