Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Cocodrilos de Caracas defeated Gaiteros del Zulia, 111-83, in Game 6 of Liga Profesional de Baloncesto's 2008 Finals at Naciones Unidas Park of Caracas, to earn the fourth crown in the history of the capital city and its third as an organization. They had also won it in 1974 as Ahorristas de Caracas and then did so as Cocodrilos in 1992 and 2000.

For coach Nestor Salazar it is his first championship after seven previous attempts in this kind of series. He had coached Panteras de Miranda back in 1987 and 2002, then Trotamundos de Carabobo in 1992, Guaros de Lara in 2005 and 2006 and Cocodrilos de Caracas in 2007 without being able to become the national champion.

'The work that we had performed during the whole season has paid off. The players deserve this championship title and this was a great victory for us', said Salazar. In 16 seasons, Salazar has a record of 318 victories and 248 defeats in the regular season. However, he has a 16-26 record in Finals.

'It's always good to get your personal revenges. This was a mental triumph more than a technical or strategic triumph', he added.

Meanwhile, captain Victor David Diaz (195-F-68) earned his second LPB title after the one he won back in 1995 with Panteras de Miranda. 'This is a moment of happiness and the trophy comes from all the work we had been doing since last January', said Diaz. It was also the second LPB title for Henry Paez (184-G-70), who was the only still standing member of the 2000 version of Cocodrilos, who also defeated Gaiteros back then, though they did so in seven games that other time.

Martinez, MVP

Dominican center Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81) was named Most Valuable Player of the LPB 2008 Finals after averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per match in six outings and performing for 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the last match of the season.

LPB 2008 FINALS
COCODRILOS DE CARACAS 119 - GAITEROS DEL ZULIA 101
Belisario Aponte Gymnasium - Maracaibo, Zulia
(Cocodrilos won the Finals 4-2)

Quarter by quarter
COC: 28-28-27-28= 111
GAI: 24-18-24-17= 83

Scorers
GAI: Hernan Salcedo (198-F-80) 27 points, Christopher Jeffries (199-F-80) 19 points, Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 16 points, Askia Jones (196-G-71) 11 points, Miguel Angel Marriaga (207-C-84) 8 points, Felipe Lopez (197-G/F-74) 5 points, Luis Julio (199-F-80) 4 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 3 points, Jean Carlos Espinoza (190-G/F-74) 0 points, Jorge Leon (186-G-79) 0 points, Jose Bravo 0 points, Omar Walcott (202-C-66) 0 points

COC: Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81) 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, Victor David Diaz (195-F-68) 16 points, Kevin Freeman (201-F-78) 14 points, Henry Paez (184-G-70) 13 points, Edgar Moreno (191-G-81) 12 points, Jesus Centeno (190-G-85) 12 points, Juan Herrera (197-F-81) 11 points, Luis Bethelmi (200-C-86) 10 points, Kevin Palacios (203-F/C-84) 0 points, Kenji Urdaneta (188-G-85) 0 points, Rosmel Blanco (205-C-76) 0 points, Vladimir Saavedra (200-F-77) 0 points