The Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña (LBP) is the second tier of professional basketball in Puerto Rico. It is a FIBA-sanctioned league, founded by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation. The current champions are the Capitalinos de San Juan.
Founded | 1984 | (as La Liga del Pueblo)
---|---|
Country | Puerto Rico |
Federation | Puerto Rican Basketball Federation |
Confederation | FIBA Americas |
Divisions | 4 |
Number of teams | 43 |
Level on pyramid | 2 |
International cup(s) | Champions League |
Current champions | Capitalinos de San Juan (3rd title) |
TV partners | Telemundo WAPA 2 Deportes DirecTV Puerto Rico |
Website | www |
History
editFounded in 1984 as “La Liga del Pueblo”, the second-tier league in Puerto Rico was intended as a place to develop local players who would represent their communities with pride.[1][2] There was originally an age limit of 20–30.[3] The success of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in the 1980s prompted this demand. Soon the league would spread from coast-to-coast and include up to 48 teams, garnering a TV deal with Northstar Communications, and leaguewide sponsorships from Toyota and Popular, Inc.[4]
Current Teams
editFor the 2021–2022 season which begins 12/1/2021, there are 44 teams.[4] These teams are grouped into four divisions, Norte (North), Este (East), Sur (South), and Oeste (West).[5] Many reflect the first-tier clubs that share the city; i.e. Cariduros de Fajardo being the designation for both the Baloncesto Superior Nacional team and the LBP team.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Asociación de Árbitros de Baloncesto / Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". www.aabpr.org. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
- ^ "Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña (2021)". www.localgymsandfitness.com. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ "Con fecha de comienzo la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". La Perla del Sur (in Mexican Spanish). 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ a b "LBP | Equipos". LigaDeBaloncestoPR (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ "Con los equipos de la Puertorriqueña". Primera Hora (in Spanish). 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
- ^ "Con fecha la próxima temporada de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". Voces del Sur (in Spanish). 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-10-17.