The Astros de Jalisco made the perfect start to the new National Professional Basketball League (LNBP) season, winning their first two games against the Mineros (Miners) de Zacatecas.

Runners-up in the last two tournaments, the Astros are hopeful of a “third-time lucky” run this year.

The Astros are playing in two leagues during 2023. In June, the team won its second consecutive Pacific Coast Basketball Circuit (Cibacopa) title.  However, the LNBP is Mexico’s top professional league and will present a much tougher challenge to the Guadalajara-based outfit.

Among several key reinforcements for the new season are Argentine-American Erick Thomas, who led the scoring in the August 21 opener with 19 points, and U.S. point guard Jeff Ledbetter, who racked up 29 points in the second game.

The Astros have accumulated an energetic fan base since the franchise joined the league in 2019. The lively support makes for fun home games, all of which are played at the Astros Arena on Avenida Avila Camacho, a few blocks from Plaza Patria.

The stadium will host 16 Astros games during the regular season, running from August 21 to November 4.  Weekday games start at 8 p.m. and Saturday games at 6 p.m.

For Lake Chapala area basketball fans concerned at after-dark driving, Sunday games starting at 3 p.m. are probably the best option. Three are scheduled during the regular season, on August 27, September 24 and October 8.

The other dates for home games are August 26; September 7, 8 and 23; October 8, 16, 17, 26 and 27; and November 3 and 4.

There is parking near the 3,500-capacity stadium, which is situated on a major city avenue and is easy to find.

Astros regular season games rarely sell out, although it’s best to pre-purchase tickets online  at boletomovil.com/astros-jalisco prior to games rather than at the stadium box office on game day.  Tickets cost from 170 to 900 pesos (VIP courtside seats).