The Reales de La Vega leaned on their home crowd and a strong second-half surge to defeat the Marineros de Puerto Plata 85–80 on May 15, 2026, in a tightly contested Dominican Republic National Basketball League matchup. The win kept La Vega near the top of the standings, while Puerto Plata suffered a narrow loss despite a valiant effort.

Home Court Advantage

Playing at the Polideportivo Fernando Teruel, the Reales started slowly, trailing 22–18 after the first quarter as Puerto Plata’s outside shooting found early success. However, La Vega’s defense tightened in the second half, holding the Marineros to just 15 points in the third quarter while their own offense began to click behind guard Juan Carlos García.

Second Half Surge

García, who finished with a game-high 24 points and 7 assists, sparked a 14–2 run early in the third quarter that gave the Reales the lead for good. Forward Miguel Acosta added 16 points and 11 rebounds, providing a strong interior presence. The Marineros, led by captain Luis Martínez’s 20 points, fought back within three points in the final minute, but a clutch steal and free throws from García sealed the win for La Vega.

Standout Players

• Juan Carlos García (REA): 24 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds. His leadership and timely scoring were instrumental in the comeback.
• Miguel Acosta (REA): 16 points, 11 rebounds (5 offensive). Dominated the glass and gave La Vega second-chance opportunities.
• Luis Martínez (PMP): 20 points, 6 assists. Kept his team in the game with creative drives and mid-range jumpers.

Season Implications

The victory moves La Vega to a 5–2 record, keeping them in the upper half of the Liga Nacional standings. Puerto Plata dropped to 3–4, but their competitive showing against one of the league’s top teams suggests they have the talent to climb. The two sides are scheduled to meet again on June 8 in Puerto Plata, where the Marineros will seek revenge on their home floor.