The UAGM Taínos and UPR Mayagüez Juanas complete the finalist bracket.
By LAI Press
Monday, April 20, 2026 (San Juan, Puerto Rico) – The Dolphins of the University of the Sacred Heart (Sagrado) made history Monday night by becoming the newest team to reach a basketball final in the Intercollegiate Athletic League (LAI), an achievement the institution had not celebrated since 1986. The feat marks a sporting resurgence for the Sagrado program and places them at the center of the university sports conversation.
In front of a packed arena full of Dolphins fans, the USC squad sealed their qualification with a 70–67 victory over their visitors, the Tigers of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (UIPR). It was a dramatic finish filled with tension, anticipation, and intense pressure.
For head coach Guayito Santiago, the emotion of the moment was evident. His team even dumped a cooler of cold water on him during his interview with the media.
“This is a huge achievement for the university. We’re extremely happy. It’s my first year, and also for Quique, my assistant. These players deserve what they’ve accomplished. We’re not done yet,” he said after the win.
Sagrado controlled the first half with a 28–24 lead and extended it to 50–40 in the third quarter. However, the UIPR Tigers did not back down. Despite the pressure of playing on the road, they mounted a 27–20 run in the final period that put the home team in serious trouble.
“Thanks to God, this is because of Him and the faith we’ve had all season. It’s God. This is thanks to God,” said one of Sagrado’s most valuable players, Keven Adorno, who dedicated the finals appearance to his father, currently recovering from a workplace accident.
Sagrado’s top scorers were José Vargas with 17 points, along with Adorno and Christian Colón, who each added 16.
A new champion will emerge in the men’s series
Sagrado will face the Taínos of Ana G. Méndez University, a team that eliminated the 2025 champions, the Hawks of Central University of Bayamón. They secured a 64–60 victory at home in Gurabo.
UAGM has not won a championship since its unification as a private educational system in 2018–2019. Their closest achievement was a runner-up finish in 2024, when they faced the Tarzans of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus.
Leading UAGM’s offense were four players in double figures: Gregory Limage (13 points), José Medina (11), Eriam Cuevas (12), and Ángel Pérez (10).
The Juanas return to the final
Meanwhile, the Juanas of UPR Mayagüez are back in the university basketball final. The LAI runners-up defeated the Taínas of UAGM 63–55 at the Gurabo campus. Their opponent is a familiar one: the defending champions, the Cowgirls (Vaqueras) of UPR Bayamón.
Standout players for the Mayagüez squad were Lyan López (19 points), Yeikamarie Jiménez (17), and Arianna Sierra (12).
The quarter scores were 16–11, 13–17, 15–15, and 19–13. UPR Mayagüez dominated the paint with 38 points, and their largest lead of the game was 12 points.
Tickets on sale through Ticketera
The final series begins Saturday, April 25, with a second game on Monday, April 27, and, if necessary, a third game on Tuesday, April 28, at the Palacio de Recreación y Deportes in Mayagüez.
The women’s game will be played at 6:00 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 8:00 p.m.
The bronze medal game will take place on Sunday, April 26, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are available through the Ticketera platform.
For updates on the Intercollegiate Athletic League, visit https://laipr.org and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.
97 years developing leaders with passion
The Intercollegiate Athletic League was founded in 1929 and currently includes 17 institutions.
Ten belong to the public education system, represented by the University of Puerto Rico campuses in Carolina, Río Piedras, Bayamón, Arecibo, Aguadilla, Mayagüez, Ponce, Humacao, Utuado, and Cayey.
The group is completed by private institutions: the University of the Sacred Heart, Interamerican University, Central University of Bayamón, Caribbean University, Pontifical Catholic University, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, and Ana G. Méndez University. The total number of student-athletes across all institutions is around 4,000.