Leones de Santo Domingo Edge Out Titanes del Licey in Thrilling Dominican Republic Liga Nacional Basketball Clash
Date: May 13, 2026 | Final Score: Leones 93 – 90 Titanes
The Dominican Republic Liga Nacional Basketball delivered another heart-stopping encounter as Leones de Santo Domingo fought back to defeat archrivals Titanes del Licey 93-90 in a high‑octane contest at the Palacio de los Deportes. The win keeps the Leones firmly in the playoff hunt, while Titanes will rue a late‑game collapse after leading for most of the second half.
Match Overview
From the opening tip, both teams showcased the fast‑paced, physical style that defines Dominican basketball. Titanes came out firing, hitting their first four three‑point attempts to build an early nine‑point lead. Leones, however, responded with an aggressive attack in the paint led by forward Jhonatan Araujo. The score swung back and forth, and by halftime the home team trailed by just two, 48‑46.
The third quarter belonged to Titanes’ guard Luis Felipe, who scored 14 points and pushed his team’s advantage to 75‑68 with one period left. But the Leones showed championship resilience. In the final frame, they ratcheted up defensive pressure and turned seven Titanes turnovers into easy transition buckets.
Key Moments
- Clutch shooting: With 2:15 remaining and Leones trailing 88‑87, veteran shooting guard Manuel Montero drained a step‑back three to give the home side its first lead since early in the second quarter.
- Defensive stand: On the next possession, Leones center Eloy Vargas blocked a driving layup attempt by Titanes’ MVP candidate Juan Coronado.
- Ice‑cold free throws: After Titanes tied the game at 90 with 20 seconds left, Leones’ point guard Adris De León calmly sank two free throws, and then a turnover on the ensuing inbound pass sealed the win.
Standout Players
- Adris De León (Leones): 22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds – the floor general controlled the tempo and delivered in crunch time.
- Jhonatan Araujo (Leones): 18 points, 11 rebounds – a double‑double that anchored the interior presence.
- Luis Felipe (Titanes): 28 points (6‑of‑9 from three) – a sensational performance that unfortunately ended on the losing side.
Tactical Story
Leones head coach David Díaz made a critical adjustment in the fourth quarter, switching to a full‑court press that disrupted Titanes’ rhythm. The visitors, who had been comfortable in half‑court sets, struggled to handle the added pressure and committed five turnovers in the final five minutes. Meanwhile, Leones ran their offense through high‑pick‑and‑rolls, exploiting Titanes’ switching defense for open looks from the perimeter and easy finishes at the rim.
Season & Table Impact
The victory pushes Leones de Santo Domingo to an 18‑10 record, solidifying third place in the Liga Nacional standings. Titanes fall to 16‑12, now tied for fourth with another team. With only a handful of games left, both squads are jockeying for favorable playoff seeding. The rivalry also gains extra significance: the season series is now tied 2‑2, meaning any potential postseason meeting would be wide open.
For fans of Dominican basketball, this was a classic reminder of why the Liga Nacional Basketball is one of the most exciting leagues in the Caribbean. The energy inside the arena was electric, and the quality of play matched the intensity of the occasion.