Tijuana Galgos (in green and black uniforms) at this weekend’s game
What to expect at a Tijuana Galgos game: Chile sauce on popcorn, the Mexican national anthem – and the team’s U.S. fans cheering loudly in English.
“Go, Galgos!”
“Go, Jerome!”
“Deeeeeeeefense!”
A Tijuana Galgos game doesn’t seem to be so much about crass commercialism or redundantly flawless moves. This is basketball as I imagine it should be: A bunch of guys of varying height brought together across borders by a shared passion and competitiveness. The team (like others in Mexico’s professional basketball league, which was founded in 2000) has a fair number of African-American and Mexican-American players from the United States.
I was vaguely aware that Tijuana had a basketball team, but it took me a while – Sorry! I’m not typically a sports fan – to finally see them this past Saturday.
It was the last game of the season, against Ciudad Victoria which is another border city south of Texas. The Galgos (translation: a type of greyhound) had been struggling throughout the year – faced with a rotating roster of coaches – and expectations weren’t running particularly high.
Every so often, the Galgos Girls performed a series of modest dance moves. During half-time some local high school basketball players were honored with tropheys. The Galgos mascot, a masked fellow in a cape, at one point grabbed a Galgos flag from a fan and started waving it around.
The Galgos, reminding us of their shining moments from recent years, commanded a winning lead throughout the game and won 94-82, raising hopes for a better outcome in 2009-2010. Afterwards, small children stormed the court to ask the players to sign basketballs, shirts, and arms. And I was left wanting to know more about these players and how they brought us all together that Saturday night.
** Update: The Mexican basketball league has provided opportunities for a number of basketball players who later played with the NBA. Dennis Rodman, Horacio Llamas, Jamario Moon are a few examples, according to this Wikipedia entry***
15 responses so far ↓
acearley // February 2, 2009 at 8:16 am |
I seriously think someone should do a video documentary on these guys. Or a reality show! There’s got to be some fascinating stories here about the love of sports, cross-border ties and Mexican basketball.
Hansen // February 3, 2009 at 12:15 am |
I wish I was there! Sorry I couldn’t come with this weekend. I look forward to next season. I am trying to convince my cousin to tryout for the team as well.
Made2B // February 4, 2009 at 8:22 am |
Found it! I love the girls, btw they seem to have some serious abs…
Ashley H. // February 8, 2009 at 5:22 am |
Wow! It was so great to meet you at the game and even more exciting to read this… My boyfriend, Miguel Flores #22, has played in the league for 3 years now and we have had some amazing/crazy experiences. I agree with the reality show comment, the team/lnbp is full of characters with large personalities. I look forward to seeing you next season and possibly collarborating on that reality show.
acearley // February 8, 2009 at 7:28 am |
Hi, Ashley. I would love to see you blog about it, too! Let’s talk more about that when they start training again. When would that be? What do the players do in-between seasons?
COURTENAY // February 10, 2009 at 6:27 pm |
I would love to see more photos of the guys. I’m Jerome’s mom and would love to see the team.
acearley // February 11, 2009 at 6:11 am |
Hi, Courtenay! Thanks for writing in. I have a few more pictures and I’m thinking I’ll put them in the “Around Tijuana” section when I have a chance to go through them again.
imron // June 3, 2009 at 6:27 am |
How do I get more info about this league. I would Love to play here.
acearley // June 9, 2009 at 4:04 am |
You can try contacting someone through the Mexican Basketball League. I think they have tryouts north of the border at various locales:
http://www.lnbp.com.mx/web2/
NC // July 14, 2009 at 9:17 pm |
Hi,
I ami interested in trying out for the Tijuana Galgos basketball team for the upcoming season. Would you be able to help me on who I can contact to find out more information? Thank you!!
acearley // July 14, 2009 at 10:18 pm |
Hi, NC..The Galgos are no longer (!). They are being replaced by The Tijuana Cosmos.
I am not finding any contact info. for them, but it looks like they are in the middle of trying out people for the team based on a Spanish-language article in Frontera: http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/23062009/384166.aspx
johnny bright // July 15, 2009 at 3:47 am |
wont to know how to try out for the team
acearley // July 15, 2009 at 2:12 pm |
Hi, Johnny. I’ve gotten two messages over the past few days with that same question! I’ll have to dig around for some info. The Galgos have changed name/ownership and are now the Cosomos. I can’t seem to find a web site yet for the Cosmos, but I’ll ask around.
maruma // November 14, 2009 at 1:29 pm |
i love basketball its my life
acearley // November 14, 2009 at 2:37 pm |
Hi, Maruma. You just reminded me I should make it out to a game in Tijuana sometime soon.