Marinos de Anzoategui wins Venezuelan LPB 2014 title (Photo: lpb.com)
Latinbasket.com All-Venezuelan LPB Awards 2014 - Jun 18, 2014
Latinbasket.com All-Venezuelan LPB 1st Team 2014
Liz
Harper
McCoy
Johnson
Martinez
Player of the Year: Aaron Harper (203-G/F-81) of Marinos Guard of the Year: Victor Liz (188-G/F-88) of Metros STGO Forward of the Year: Aaron Harper (203-G/F-81) of Marinos Center of the Year: Jack Michael Martinez (201-F-81) of Leones SD Newcomer of the Year: Abrouse Acosta (180-PG-92) of Panteras Most Improved Player of the Year: Jhornan Zamora (196-G-89) of Trotamundos Imported Player of the Year: Aaron Harper (203-G/F-81) of Marinos Domestic Player of the Year: Jhornan Zamora (196-G-89) of Trotamundos Defensive Player of the Year: Windi Graterol (204-C-86) of Metros STGO Coach of the Year: Gustavo Garcia of Toros
All-Defensive Team
G: Kelvin Pena (193-G-80) of Huracanes PP
G/F: Victor Liz (188-G/F-88) of Metros STGO
G/F: Cesar Silva (190-G/F-81) of Guaiqueries
F/C: Lamont Barnes (208-F/C-78) of Guaiqueries
C: Windi Graterol (204-C-86) of Metros STGO
Marinos de Anzoategui are new LNB champions - Jun 11, 2014
Marinos - Trotamundos 95:81
Marinos de Anzoategui claimed the LNB crown. They overcame Trotamundos in the decisive seventh game of the Finals series to celebrate the title. Marinos retained the trophy last won in 2012. Aaron Harper (203-G/F-81, college: Mississippi) came up with 25 points, 13 boards and 6 assists to lead the winners. Trotamundos ensured a narrow 20:19 lead after the opening quarter. But Marinos took over in the second frame. The hosts pulled ahead for a 43:37 halftime advantage. Marinos extended the margin in the third term. The hosts secured a 67:57 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Trotamundos opened the final stanza on a 13:7 run to narrow the gap. But Marinos quickly responded and rallied to the victory. Jose Vargas (195-G/F-82) chipped in 21 points and 7 assists, while German Gabriel (207-C-80) added 18 points in the win. Jack Michael Martinez (201-F-81) answered with 21 points and 13 boards for Trotamundos. David Cubillan (181-PG-87, college: Marquette) had 17 points in the loss.
LPB 2014 All-Star Game - Importados (Foreigners) defeat Criollos (Venezuelans) in over time, 137-134 - Apr 7, 2014
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Importados (Foreigners) defeated Criollos (Venezuelans) in the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto's 2014 All-Star Game, 137-134, in the first over time ever in the history of these games in the country's top league, led by the performance of Robert Glenn (201-PF-89) (26 points and 6 rebounds), named Most Valuable Player of the Match in a game played at Domo Bolivariano de Barquisimeto, totally packed for the occasion (10.000 people).
THE TEAMS The Venezuelans side was coached by current LPB champion Nestor Salazar of Cocodrilos de Caracas and its roster included: Axiers Sucre of Gigantes de Guayana, Jose Vargas of Marinos de Anzoategui, Luis Bethelmy and Jesus Centeno of Cocodrilos de Caracas, Miguel Marriaga and Alejandro Barrios from Toros de Aragua, Rafael Guevara and Windi Graterol of Guaros de Lara, Carlos Cedeno of Bucaneros de La Guaira, Dwight Lewis and Jhornan Zamora of Trotamundos de Carabobo and Tulio Cobos of Guaiqueries de Margarita.
The Foreigners side was coached by Gustavo Aranzana (Spain) from Guaiqueries de Margarita, replacing Julio Toro (Puerto Rico) of Marinos de Anzoategui due to illness. The roster included Carl Elliott of Cocodrilos de Caracas, Robert Glenn of Trotamundos de Carabobo, Donald Sims and Aaron Harper of Marinos de Anzoategui, R.L. Horton of Panteras de Miranda, Andrew Feeley of Gigantes de Guayana, Anthony Johnson and Kelvin Pena of Toros de Aragua, Ryan McCoy and Victor Liz of Gaiteros del Zulia, Lamont Barnes of Guaiqueries de Margarita and Marcus Fizer of Guaros de Lara. The team included Jack Martinez of Trotamundos de Carabobo but the league's main board decided not to let him play due to a disciplinary action that's still under investigation of the league's technical comission.
THE GAME It was the 37th All-Star Game out of 41 seasons. The LPB was founded in 1993 but between 1974 and 1992, it was known as Liga Especial. Only in 1978 (due to the Central American Games), 1983 (due to the Pan American Games) and 1992 (conflicts between the league and the Venezuelan Basketball Federation) the game wasn't played.
The Foreigners took an early lead, with an 11-point advantage after the first quarter (34-23) that was kept through the end of the first half (68-57). Then, inspired by Windi Graterol in the paint, the Venezuelans were able to regain their energy and get the lead, 95-93, at the end of the third period. Regular time ended with a tie, 124-124, and for the first time ever, extra time was needed in an All-Star Game. The Foreigners won it, 13-10.
Robert Glenn led the winners with 26 points and 6 rebounds to be named MVP, Aaron Harper scored 27 points and Anthony Johnson 25 more. For the Venezuelans, Windi Graterol scored 25 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and Dwight Lewis added 25 points.
DUNKS CONTEST The LPB invited Darwin Matos of Guaros de Lara, Kelvin Caraballo of Cocodrilos de Caracas and Dwight Lewis of Trotamundos de Carabobo for the Venezuelans and Eric Griffin and Jamario Moon of Guaros de Lara, Robert Glenn of Trotamundos de Carabobo and Anthony Johnson of Toros de Aragua for the Foreigners.
Matos, nicknamed "Pitillo" (The Straw), won the contest by arriving for his second attempt on a motorcycle driven by teammate Windi Graterol and then jumping over the motorcycle to finish a spectacular dunk.
THREE-POINT SHOTS CONTEST The LPB invited Edgar Lugo of Guaros de Lara, Leonardo Cappare of Gigantes de Guayana, Dennis D'Adezzio of Guaiqueries de Margarita and Jhornan Zamora of Trotamundos de Carabobo for the Venezuelans and Aaron Harper of Marinos de Anzoategui, Ryan McCoy and Victor Liz of Gaiteros del Zulia and R.L. Horton of Panteras de Miranda for the Foreigners.
Cappare, Horton and Zamora surpassed the first round as the best shooters out of 15-shot rounds per player. Then Cappare took down Horton and Zamora to win the contest.
Venezuelan LPB All-Star Game Rosters - Apr 5, 2014
