Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña

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.

Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña
Founded1984; 40 years ago (1984) (as La Liga del Pueblo)
CountryPuerto Rico
FederationPuerto Rican Basketball Federation
ConfederationFIBA Americas
Divisions4
Number of teams43
Level on pyramid2
International cup(s)Champions League
Current championsCapitalinos de San Juan (3rd title)
TV partnersTelemundo
WAPA 2 Deportes
DirecTV Puerto Rico
Websitewww.lbpoficial.com

History

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Founded 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

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For 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]

2021-2022 Divisions
Norte Este Sur Oeste
Barranquitas Humacao Patillas Yauco
Naranjito Las Piedras Ponce Quebradillas
Dorado Carolina Juana Díaz San Germán
Morovis Guaynabo Santa Isabel Lajas
Cataño Río Grande Coamo Mayagüez
Arecibo Fajardo Salinas Añasco
Vega Baja Trujillo Alto Aibonito Las Marías
Corozal San Juan Adjuntas Aguadilla
Toa Baja Loíza Villalba Moca
Toa Alta Juncos Guayama San Sebastián
Lares Comerío Arroyo Hatillo

References

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  1. ^ "Asociación de Árbitros de Baloncesto / Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". www.aabpr.org. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  2. ^ "Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña (2021)". www.localgymsandfitness.com. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  3. ^ "Con fecha de comienzo la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". La Perla del Sur (in Mexican Spanish). 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  4. ^ a b "LBP | Equipos". LigaDeBaloncestoPR (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-10-16.
  5. ^ "Con los equipos de la Puertorriqueña". Primera Hora (in Spanish). 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  6. ^ "Con fecha la próxima temporada de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña". Voces del Sur (in Spanish). 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
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