Havana, January 17 (RHC) - Cuban manager Germán Mesa won his third championship in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League (LBPN), becoming the foreigner with the most titles.
Mesa led the Rivas Giants, with whom he had already triumphed in the 2015-2016 season, to the title again on Tuesday night. In the 2012-2013 campaign, the former star Cuban pitcher had been champion with the Tigres de Chinandega.
In addition to becoming the winningest foreign manager in the LBPN, Mesa tied with hosts Noel Areas (deceased) and Sandor Guido, all with three crowns.
In the sixth game of a thrilling grand finale, the Giants beat Tren del Norte 7-4 to clinch the series 4-2.
The Tren came to be ahead in the final series 2 wins to 1, but the Giants won the last three games, including the fifth when they were losing 6-0 and achieved an epic comeback that culminated with a Grand Slam by Francisco Peguero, who was elected the Most Valuable Player of the final, batting for 393, with two home runs and 10 tows.
For the Giants, it was their fourth title in the history of the LBPN.
Under the leadership of Germán Mesa, the Rivas Giants will become the first team in history to represent the Nicaraguan Professional League in a Caribbean Series, scheduled for February 1-9 in Miami, United States.
Source: LBPN website