Guadalajara’s successful Astros basketball team begins the defense of its Pacific Coast Basketball Circuit (CIBACOPA) title on Wednesday, March 8, 8 p.m. at the Astros Arena, against the Tijuana Zonkeys.  

The three-game series continues Friday, March 10, 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 11, 6 p.m.

The Astros de Jalisco, the southernmost team in the eight-team league, won the CIBACOPA crown in 2022 in its debut season. The other teams are from Culiacan, Mazatlan, Guaymas, Los Mochis, Hermosillo, Tijuana and Ciudad Obregon. The CIBACOPA season runs from March to June.

Formed in 2019, the Astros finished runners up in Mexico’s premiere competition, the National Professional Basketball League (LNBP), in both 2021 and 2022, after just two seasons in the league.

The Astros’ players will get only a short break after completing their CIBACOPA schedule, having to prepare quickly for the LNBP season, which goes from August to December.

Almost half the Astros’ roster has U.S. nationality.  Standing out once again will be Jason Loveridge, the 2022 CIBACOPA season MVP, who was also named the All-Star Game MVP after recording 47 points, as well as being a LNBP All-Star.

Other Astros home games in March are on Friday, March 17; Saturday, March 18; Tuesday, March 21; Wednesday, March 22 and Friday, March 31. Weekdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 6 p.m.

Tickets at boletomovil.com, the Astros Arena and Plaza Patria: 170-900 pesos. The Arena Astros (Polideportivo Manuel Avila Camacho) is on Avenida Avila Camacho, in Colonia Jardines del Country, a few blocks from Plaza Patria.