AGUADA, Puerto Rico (Interstat) — The Ponce Leones visit the Aguada Santeros on Saturday in a Baloncesto Superior Nacional matchup that carries playoff implications for both struggling clubs.

Ponce (9-18) is coming off a 101-78 victory over Guaynabo on Tuesday, snapping a four-game losing streak. Aguada (10-12) dropped a 90-88 decision at San German on Wednesday, its third loss in four games.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Coliseo de Aguada.

The Leones lean on guard Jalen Crutcher, who has been productive despite the team’s overall struggles. In Tuesday’s win, Crutcher played 35 minutes, scoring 26 points with six rebounds and six assists. Over his past eight games, he has averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists, though he shot just 4 of 14 from the field in a loss to Carolina on May 24. In the teams’ most recent meeting — a 99-97 Aguada victory on May 13 — Crutcher logged 39 minutes, posting 21 points, three rebounds and 10 assists.

For Aguada, forward Jake Wiley provides a consistent interior presence. He recorded a double-double in Wednesday’s loss at San German with 15 points and 11 rebounds, adding three blocks. Over his last eight outings, Wiley has averaged 16.9 points and 7.5 rebounds. Against Ponce on May 13, he played 31 minutes and collected 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks, helping the Santeros erase a late deficit.

The head-to-head series this season is tied 1-1. Ponce won 93-88 at home on April 26, while Aguada took the May 13 rematch on the road. In that earlier Ponce win, Crutcher had 18 points and eight assists.

Both teams rank near the bottom of the BSN standings. Ponce has lost eight of its last 10 games, including defeats by two points at Mayaguez and by one point at Quebradillas in late May. Aguada has dropped five of its last seven.

Saturday’s game marks the third and final regular-season meeting between the clubs. With the playoffs approaching, each team is looking to build momentum. Aguada’s home-court advantage could be pivotal — the Santeros are 6-5 at Coliseo de Aguada this season, while Ponce is 3-9 on the road.

Other contributors to watch include Ponce guard Jezreel De Jesus, who had 20 points and nine assists against Guaynabo, and Aguada guard Rigoberto Mendoza De La Rosa, who scored 21 points at San German on Wednesday.