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MEXICALI, B.C. — In a night filled with excitement, emotion, and dominant basketball, Soles de Mexicali kicked off their 2025 season in style, defeating the Halcones de Xalapa 90–63 in front of more than 4,000 energetic fans at the Auditorio PSF.
The long-anticipated return of Argentine coach Silvio José Santander set the tone for the season opener. Santander, known for his disciplined and dynamic approach, rotated through his entire roster during the game, including giving hometown favorite Eduardo Andrés Mendoza his debut in the final minutes—a symbolic and heartfelt moment that brought the crowd to its feet.
From the tip-off, Soles established control. Halcones, led by Spanish coach Paco Olmos, struggled offensively in the early going, taking nearly five minutes to score their first field goal. By then, Mexicali had already built an 8–3 lead, setting the pace for the remainder of the game.
Soles closed the first quarter with a 21–17 edge, with Brandon McCoy contributing 7 points and Connor Zinaich adding 4. The second quarter, however, was where Soles truly broke the game open. With a 14–0 run, they stunned Halcones and headed into halftime with a commanding 50–30 lead.
Xalapa showed brief signs of life in the third quarter with back-to-back three-pointers by Thaddus McFadden, but Mexicali quickly silenced the surge. Veteran sharpshooter Luke Martínez nailed a three of his own, followed by a high-energy alley-oop from Donald Sims to Zinaich that electrified the arena.
By the final quarter, Soles had complete control of the tempo. They kept Xalapa at bay with a 19–15 effort in the last 10 minutes. The crowd roared with approval as Eduardo Mendoza, a local player born and trained in Mexicali, stepped onto the court. His debut marked the first time in over a decade that a homegrown talent played in a Soles season opener. Every time Mendoza touched the ball, fans responded with thunderous applause.
Statistically, it was a balanced effort for the home team. Donald Sims led the way with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in 26 minutes. He was supported by Justin Moss (13 points, 5 rebounds), Brandon McCoy (12 points, 8 rebounds), and Luke Martínez (11 points, 4 rebounds). The team’s cohesion, energy, and depth were clear indicators of their potential this season.
For the visiting Halcones, Donte Clark was the top scorer with 14 points, followed by Fernando Zurbriggen with 11 and McFadden with 10.
The two teams will face off again on Friday at 8:00 p.m. local time in Mexicali, giving Halcones a chance at redemption—and Soles a shot at a strong 2–0 season start.
With a winning combination of leadership, talent, and hometown spirit, Soles de Mexicali sent a powerful message to the league: they’re back, and they mean business.