Coamo Marathon Runners
Encyclopedia
The Maratonistas de Coamo are a BSN basketball
team based in Coamo
, Puerto Rico
. Their home court is the Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum
.
Formerly the Cardenales de Río Piedras, the Maratonistas were relocated in 1985.
The team won their last championship in 1963 led by players like Juan Báez
and others. After that, the team reached the Finals four more times. During the 1970s, the team played their home games at Rubén Zayas Montañez Court.
In 1985, the Cardenales de Río Piedras were relocated to Coamo
under the name of the Maratonistas de Coamo.
However, in 1996, the team was relocated again to Villalba, under the name of Avancinos de Villalba. The team remained in Villalba for three years.
, and NCAA prospect Filiberto Rivera
.
In 2004, the Maratonistas had their best season to date. Two of their players, Gabriel Mouneke and Carlos Escalera, were selected Most Valuable Player
and Most Improved Player respectively. Coamo reached the BSN Finals against the Leones de Ponce, but lost on a seventh game to Ponce.
In 2008, the team was forced to recess due to financial problems.
Johwen Villegas.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team based in Coamo
Coamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the southern region, north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas. Coamo is spread over 10 wards and Coamo Pueblo...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Their home court is the Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum
Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum
Edwin "Puruco" Nolasco Coliseum is an indoor sporting arena located in Coamo, Puerto Rico. The coliseum opened in 1985 and was renovated in 1999....
.
Formerly the Cardenales de Río Piedras, the Maratonistas were relocated in 1985.
1940s-1985: Cardenales de Río Piedras
The Maratonistas' previous incarnation, the Cardenales de Río Piedras, were formed in the 1940s. Early in their history they appeared in several Finals, winning their first championship in 1946 against the Capitanes de Arecibo. From 1955 to 1957, the team won three championships in a row. The team kept enjoying success during the following years, reaching the Finals in three more occasions (1959, 1960, 1962).The team won their last championship in 1963 led by players like Juan Báez
Juan Báez
Juan "Johnny" Báez , was an active and notable Puerto Rican basketball player. He played from 1953 to 1969 in Puerto Rico's Superior Basketball League and from 1957 to 1961 with the Real Madrid basketball Spanish basketball team in Europe...
and others. After that, the team reached the Finals four more times. During the 1970s, the team played their home games at Rubén Zayas Montañez Court.
In 1985, the Cardenales de Río Piedras were relocated to Coamo
Coamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the southern region, north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas. Coamo is spread over 10 wards and Coamo Pueblo...
under the name of the Maratonistas de Coamo.
1985-1998: First decade and relocations
After their relocation to Coamo, the Maratonistas enjoyed some success with the arrival of players like Dean Borges, Darryl Cambrelén, Pablito Alicea, and Joao "Pipoca" Vianna, among others.However, in 1996, the team was relocated again to Villalba, under the name of Avancinos de Villalba. The team remained in Villalba for three years.
1999-2008: Return to Coamo and resurgence
In 1999, the team returned to Coamo under the ownership of Fernando Ortíz. The team included young players like Carlos Escalera, Miguel Ali Berdiel, Christian DalmauChristian Dalmau
Christian Dalmau is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. He is the second son of the legendary Puerto Rican basketball star Raymond Dalmau...
, and NCAA prospect Filiberto Rivera
Filiberto Rivera
Filiberto Rivera is a Puerto Rican professional basketball player. Rivera has played in the NCAA, NJCAA and the National Superior Basketball League with Coamo Marathon Runners and Carolina Giants. He is currently under contract with Bnei HaSharon of the Israeli Premier League. Rivera has played...
.
In 2004, the Maratonistas had their best season to date. Two of their players, Gabriel Mouneke and Carlos Escalera, were selected Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
and Most Improved Player respectively. Coamo reached the BSN Finals against the Leones de Ponce, but lost on a seventh game to Ponce.
In 2008, the team was forced to recess due to financial problems.
2011-present: Return to BSN
In 2011, the team returned to the league led by 2007 Rookie of the YearRookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year award is given by a number of sports leagues, mainly in North America, to the top first-time professional athlete of a season. -Principal sports making award:...
Johwen Villegas.