SLB Round 15: Llaneros beat Brillantes in a derby game

The Regular Season in SLB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. The round was rather attractive and full of interesting results. The round ended with derby games and favorites losing the games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Llaneros (#7) and Brillantes (#8). Brillantes were crushed at home by 20 points 73-93 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Brillantes. Llaneros had a 28-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Llaneros especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. The best player for the winners was point guard Luis Vargas (184-95) who scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. International power forward Adrian Espinoza Malave (210-97) chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Melvin Zambrano (193-95) who recorded 19 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Llaneros (5-8) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bucaneros. Brillantes at the other side keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Llaneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Broncos.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#2) and Diablos (#3). Cocodrilos (11-2) won against visiting Diablos (9-4) 81-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Diablos. It was a good game for the former international point guard Gregory Vargas (182-86, agency: Pro Sports) who led his team to a victory with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Nestor Colmenares contributed with 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Jesus Centeno (190-85) answered with 11 points for Diablos. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cocodrilos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Spartans. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Gigantes and Broncos. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Gladiadores.
An interesting game was played in Margarita where Taurinos (#8) rolled over host Centauros (#4) with 27-point difference 101-74 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Centauros. It was a great evening for Luis Betancourt who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was Kelvin Pena with 19 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Taurinos (3-10) moved-up to seventh place. Loser Centauros dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. Taurinos will meet at home higher ranked Indios (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Centauros will play against Gigantes in Puerto Ordaz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Undefeated leader Guaiqueries delivered the fourteenth consecutive victory. This time they beat 7th ranked Cangrejeros (2-9) 81-76 in Porlamar. It was a quality performance for Edgar Martinez who led the winners and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. Cangrejeros' coach Jorge Arrieta tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Undefeated Guaiqueries (14-0) have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 14 victories in a row. Cangrejeros lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. Guaiqueries will have a break next round. Cangrejeros will play at home against the league's second-placed Trotamundos (#2) and hope to win that game.
The game in La Guaira was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Broncos (9-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Bucaneros (5-8). Broncos managed to secure a 8-point victory 86-78 on Monday. The best player for the winners was Garly Sojo who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos moved-up to third place, which they share with Gigantes and Diablos. Loser Bucaneros dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Llaneros.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Condores were defeated by Trotamundos in La Asuncion 71-64. Supersonicos were beaten by Indios at home 63-71. Heroes were destroyed by Gladiadores on the opponent's court 85-61.

Bucaneros - Broncos 78-86

The game in La Guaira was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Broncos (9-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Bucaneros (5-8). Broncos managed to secure a 8-point victory 86-78 on Monday. Bucaneros were plagued by 31 personal fouls down the stretch. The best player for the winners was international point guard Garly Sojo (196-99) who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Point guard Michael Rudas (179-94) chipped in 14 points. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Jesus Medina (188-94) who recorded 11 points and 5 assists and Leunan Diaz (194-96) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively. Four Broncos and five Bucaneros players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos moved-up to third place, which they share with Gigantes and Diablos. Loser Bucaneros dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Llaneros.
Top scorers:
Broncos: S.Garly 24+7reb+2ast, R.Michael 14+4reb+2ast, J.Manaure 12+6reb+1ast, L.Julio 11+5reb+3ast, H.Diaz 8+3reb+3ast, B.Oswarl 5+1reb
Bucaneros: L.Diaz 12+2reb+4ast, E.Diaz 12+4reb, I.Heredia 12+4reb+1ast, D.Bryant 11+6ast, J.Medina 11+2reb+5ast, D.Mejias 8+2reb+3ast

Trotamundos - Condores 71-64

There was no surprise in La Asuncion where 9th ranked Condores (1-11) were defeated by third ranked Trotamundos (10-4) 71-64 on Monday. Trotamundos outrebounded Condores 47-30 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was international power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-0) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Power forward Carlos Milano (198-85) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was guard Kervin Perez (191-97) who recorded 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Colombian forward Miguel Fernandez (194-92) added 15 points respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos moved-up to second place. Condores lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Trotamundos will face Cangrejeros (#8) in Maturin in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Condores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Margarita Supersonicos.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: F.Fuenmayor 20+10reb+1ast, C.Milano 18+10reb+2ast, A.Amundaray 9+4reb+4ast, E.Baez 9+1reb+6ast, B.Yosmar 6+2reb, M.Ruiz 4+17reb+3ast
Condores: M.Fernandez 15+3reb+1ast, K.Perez 15+8reb+4ast, A.de la Paz 10, C.Gascon 6+2reb, E.Rodriguez 5+8reb, J.Perez 5+1reb

Brillantes - Llaneros 73-93

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Llaneros (#7) and Brillantes (#8). Brillantes were crushed at home by 20 points 73-93 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Brillantes. Llaneros had a 28-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Llaneros especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. The best player for the winners was point guard Luis Vargas (184-95) who scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. International power forward Adrian Espinoza Malave (210-97) chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Melvin Zambrano (193-95) who recorded 19 points and 6 rebounds and international swingman Raymond Rada (194-97) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Llaneros (5-8) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bucaneros. Brillantes at the other side keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Llaneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Broncos.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: V.Luis 15+5reb+4ast, A.Espinoza Malave 15+8reb, C.Rodriguez 13+8reb, J.Pinango 10+1reb+1ast, C.Centeno 9+2reb+2ast, G.Osorio 7+7reb+1ast
Brillantes: M.Zambrano 19+6reb+1ast, R.Rada 13+5reb+3ast, N.Ojeda 9+8reb+2ast, G.Jesuangel 8+2reb, E.Guerra 8+2reb, D.Cedeno 6

Guaiqueries - Cangrejeros 81-76

Undefeated leader Guaiqueries delivered the fourteenth consecutive victory. This time they beat 7th ranked Cangrejeros (2-9) 81-76 in Porlamar. Guaiqueries players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Cangrejeros' players. It was a quality performance for international Edgar Martinez (199-97) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. International power forward Eliezer Montano (206-91) accounted for 18 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. The former international swingman Jorge Rondon (193-90) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds and Edixon Figueroa (187-94) added 10 points and 4 assists respectively for Cangrejeros in the defeat. Cangrejeros' coach Jorge Arrieta tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Guaiqueries (14-0) have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 14 victories in a row. Cangrejeros lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. Guaiqueries will have a break next round. Cangrejeros will play at home against the league's second-placed Trotamundos (#2) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: E.Martinez 21+9reb+3ast, E.Montano 18+6reb+2ast, A.Perez 13+3reb, L.Palacios 11+1reb+5ast, H.Guillent 7+3reb+9ast, F.Centeno 4+8reb+3ast
Cangrejeros: J.Rondon 27+11reb+1ast, E.Figueroa 10+1reb+4ast, E.Rios 9+5reb, A.Acosta 8+3reb+1ast, C.Lopez 6+6reb, R.Jesus 5+5reb+1ast

Supersonicos - Indios 63-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Indios' (7-6) road victory over 6th ranked Supersonicos (6-8) 71-63 on Tuesday. Supersonicos were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard Harold Cazorla (175-91, agency: Promo Sport ID) who scored 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. The former international forward Derwin Ramirez (191-82) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Indios' coach Ivan Garcia used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to get some rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Colombian power forward Luis Almanza (196-91) who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds and guard Wilkerman Gomez (190-1) added 15 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Indios moved-up to fourth place. Loser Supersonicos dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. Indios will face Taurinos (#7) in La Asuncion in the next round. Supersonicos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Margarita to the arena Condores.
Top scorers:
Indios: H.Cazorla 20+7reb+7ast, J.Mejias 16+1reb+3ast, C.Silva 12+11reb, D.Ramirez 10+10reb+4ast, L.Rubianes 4+3reb, J.Diaz 4+3reb+1ast
Supersonicos: W.Gomez 15+11reb, L.Almanza 14+14reb+2ast, E.Bernal 11+5reb, O.Alvarez 10+2reb+2ast, A.Acosta 8+3reb+1ast, P.Romer 3+2reb

Gladiadores - Heroes 85-61

Rather expected game in Caracas where 9th ranked Heroes (1-13) were rolled over by seventh ranked Gladiadores (6-8) 85-61 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was point guard Humberto Bompart (183-94) who scored 26 points and 6 assists. The former international point guard Carlos Cedeno (193-85, college: Frank Phillips) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Kevin Nino (195-91) who recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized Colombian Jackson Zapata (198-85) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Gladiadores moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Supersonicos. Heroes lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 13 games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: H.Bompart 26+4reb+6ast, L.Velasquez 14+1reb+1ast, C.Cedeno 13+5reb+8ast, D.Martinez 8+1ast, Y.Umbria 8+6reb, D.Ananguren 6+11reb
Heroes: K.Nino 26+7reb+3ast, J.Zapata 19+6reb, C.Jefferson 5+4reb+1ast, K.Bracho 4+2reb, A.Victor 3+3reb+1ast, M.Thompson 2+3reb+1ast

Centauros - Taurinos 74-101

An interesting game was played in Margarita where Taurinos (#8) rolled over host Centauros (#4) with 27-point difference 101-74 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Centauros. Taurinos shot 61.3 percent from the field. They outrebounded Centauros 33-21 including 23 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for international guard Luis Betancourt (183-2) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international swingman Rafael Guevara (193-79) helped adding 15 points and 6 assists. Five Taurinos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Dominican guard Kelvin Pena (193-80, college: Southeastern) with 19 points and the former international Jose Bracho (190-98) scored 11 points and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Taurinos (3-10) moved-up to seventh place. Loser Centauros dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. Taurinos will meet at home higher ranked Indios (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Centauros will play against Gigantes in Puerto Ordaz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Taurinos: L.Betancourt 22+4reb+5ast, J.Rodriguez 17+5reb+1ast, M.Flores 17+2reb+2ast, R.Guevara 15+3reb+6ast, R.Machado 12+8reb+3ast, M.Avila 11+5reb
Centauros: K.Pena 19+2ast, J.Bracho 11+2reb+6ast, L.Germany 11+4reb+1ast, H.Bayona 8+3reb+1ast, Y.Valera 6+3reb+3ast, I.Jr Ludwing 5+1reb

Cocodrilos - Diablos 81-68

Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#2) and Diablos (#3). Cocodrilos (11-2) won against visiting Diablos (9-4) 81-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Diablos. They outrebounded Diablos 44-33 including 30 on the defensive glass. Cocodrilos players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for the former international point guard Gregory Vargas (182-86, agency: Pro Sports) who led his team to a victory with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. International Nestor Colmenares (203-87, college: Campbellsville, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Jesus Centeno (190-85) answered with 11 points and international swingman Enderson Alcala (195-1) added 12 points in the effort for Diablos. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cocodrilos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Spartans. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Gigantes and Broncos. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Gladiadores.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: C.Garcia 12+1reb+1ast, E.Hernandez 11+1reb+1ast, J.Diaz 11+3reb+2ast, N.Colmenares 9+10reb+2ast, E.Gimenez 8+1reb, K.Caraballo 7+7reb+1ast
Diablos: E.Alcala 12+3reb, J.Centeno 11+1reb+3ast, I.Argenis 9+3reb+3ast, D.Castro 7+3reb+2ast, J.Romero 6+4reb+4ast, M.Sanabria 6



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