The Marineros de Puerto Plata held off a late charge from Heroes de Moca to secure an 85–78 victory in an intense Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (LNB) clash on May 20, 2026. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Marineros used a balanced attack and stifling defense in the second half to improve their position in the Dominican top flight.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a fast-paced first quarter. Heroes de Moca, known for their transition offense, jumped to an early lead behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc. However, the Marineros responded with aggressive drives to the rim, tying the game at 22–22 after the first period. The second quarter saw defensive intensity rise, and the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 42–42.

Key Moments in the Second Half

The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Marineros head coach adjusted the defensive scheme, switching to a zone that disrupted Moca’s ball movement. Puerto Plata then went on a 14–4 run, fueled by fast-break points and second-chance opportunities. By the end of the third quarter, the home side held a 66–58 lead.

Heroes de Moca refused to back down. In the fourth quarter, they cut the deficit to just four points with under three minutes remaining. But the Marineros’ veteran point guard calmly sank a clutch three-pointer and followed it with a steal that led to a fast-break dunk, sealing the 85–78 win.

Standout Performances

• Marineros de Puerto Plata: The leading scorer poured in a game-high 24 points on efficient shooting (10-of-16 from the field), while also grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing 4 assists. The team’s center added a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards, dominating the paint on both ends.
• Heroes de Moca: Despite the loss, their shooting guard tallied 22 points, including four three-pointers, and registered 6 assists. The team’s inability to contain Puerto Plata’s interior players proved costly, as they allowed 42 points in the paint.

Season and Table Impact

The victory pushes Marineros de Puerto Plata above .500 for the season, strengthening their playoff aspirations in a tightly contested LNB field. Heroes de Moca, meanwhile, will look to regroup after dropping their third consecutive road game. The team remains in the middle of the standings but will need to sharpen its half-court defense to climb higher.

With the home crowd providing a boost, the Marineros showed the resilience and depth necessary to compete against the league’s elite. The upcoming schedule features a string of divisional matchups that could define their postseason fate.