JaVale McGee & Danilo Gallinari Capture Puerto Rico League Title — Gallinari Crowned Finals MVP in Stunning Championship Run
San Juan, Puerto Rico – August 2025
In one of the most captivating basketball stories of the year, NBA veterans JaVale McGee and Danilo Gallinari have led the Bayamón Vaqueros to a stunning championship win in the Puerto Rico BSN League, culminating a season filled with redemption, leadership, and dominant play.
Gallinari, 37, was named Finals MVP after averaging 24.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists over a thrilling five-game series against the Capitanes de Arecibo. The Italian sharpshooter was virtually unguardable, hitting clutch threes, orchestrating the offense in key moments, and delivering a masterclass in veteran poise and playoff experience.
“Basketball is basketball—no matter where you play it,” Gallinari said during the postgame celebration. “This title means everything to me. I came here to compete, to lead, and to win. We did that.”
Alongside him, JaVale McGee, now 37 as well, anchored the defense with his trademark shot-blocking and rim protection. McGee averaged 10.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game throughout the playoffs, often changing the momentum with his energy and athleticism.
“I’ve won three rings in the NBA,” McGee said with a grin. “But this one hits different. The culture, the fans, the grind—we earned every bit of this.”
The Vaqueros went 23–9 in the regular season and entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. Despite early skepticism around whether two aging NBA vets could carry a team in the fast-paced BSN, McGee and Gallinari silenced critics game after game. Their chemistry—honed through years of experience and professionalism—was on full display throughout the postseason.
In the decisive Game 5 of the Finals, Gallinari dropped 29 points, including four three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone. McGee added 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, frustrating Arecibo’s interior offense and sealing the paint.
Fans in Bayamón flooded the streets after the buzzer, celebrating the franchise’s 17th title—the most in BSN history. Team president Luis Santiago called it “the most memorable championship this organization has ever experienced,” praising both McGee and Gallinari for their leadership on and off the court.
For Gallinari, who battled through injuries and uncertainty following his NBA tenure, the MVP honors were particularly sweet. For McGee, it was proof that his passion for the game remains undimmed.
And for Puerto Rican basketball fans, this wasn’t just about a trophy. It was about legends writing one final chapter—and giving the island a season it will never forget. 🏆🇵🇷
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