SLB Round 1 (Second Stage): Spartans defeat Centauros

The Second Stage in SLB just started. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Centauros in Caracas on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by Spartans 88-54. Spartans forced 19 Centauros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Spartans made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Nelson Palacios (192-92) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. International swingman Pedro Chourio (186-90, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with 12 points for the winners. The former international swingman Jorge Rondon (193-90) answered with 16 points for Centauros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Indios.
Another exciting game for Cocodrilos which played in Caracas against Indios. Cocodrilos won 78-71. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-86) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and Gregory Vargas chipped in 18 points and 6 assists. Cocodrilos' coach Nelson Solorzano allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side the former international point guard Harold Cazorla (175-91, agency: Promo Sport ID) responded with 15 points. Cocodrilos will play against Centauros in Margarita in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Indios' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Spartans.
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Broncos in a game in Caracas versus undefeated Gigantes 81-77. Edwin Mijares nailed 17 points and 6 assists for the winning side. Garly Sojo came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for Broncos in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Diablos and Trotamundos , which took place in La Asuncion. Diablos were outleveled in a road game by Trotamundos 90-66. Jhornan Zamora fired 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Trotamundos will have a break next round. Diablos will play on the road against Guaiqueries in Porlamar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Spartans - Centauros 88-54

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Centauros in Caracas on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by Spartans 88-54. Spartans forced 19 Centauros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Spartans made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Nelson Palacios (192-92) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 4 assists. International swingman Pedro Chourio (186-90, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with 12 points for the winners. The former international swingman Jorge Rondon (193-90) answered with 16 points and the former international Jose Bracho (190-98) added 6 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Centauros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Indios.
Top scorers:
Spartans: N.Palacios 19+2reb+4ast, J.Rodriguez 14+2reb+1ast, P.Chourio 12+3reb+2ast, W.Graterol 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 9+4reb+4ast, A.Blanco 8+2reb+4ast
Centauros: J.Rondon 16+4reb+1ast, L.Germany 10+3reb, J.Pinero 7+4reb+1ast, J.Bracho 6+5reb+3ast, L.Betancourt 5+1reb+2ast, Y.Valera 4+2reb+2ast

Indios - Cocodrilos 71-78

Another exciting game for Cocodrilos which played in Caracas against Indios. Cocodrilos won 78-71. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-86) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Gregory Vargas (182-86, agency: Pro Sports) chipped in 18 points and 6 assists. Cocodrilos' coach Nelson Solorzano allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side the former international point guard Harold Cazorla (175-91, agency: Promo Sport ID) responded with 15 points and the former international swingman Cesar Silva (190-81) scored 10 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Cocodrilos will play against Centauros in Margarita in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Indios' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Spartans.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: G.Vargas 18+4reb+6ast, L.Bethelmy 17+10reb+2ast, C.Garcia 15+3reb, K.Caraballo 10+8reb+5ast, E.Hernandez 7+3reb+1ast, J.Diaz 6+1reb
Indios: H.Cazorla 15+4reb+3ast, E.Diaz 10+6reb+1ast, D.Ramirez 10+4reb+2ast, C.Silva 10+7reb+2ast, O.Alvarez 7+2reb+2ast, J.Diaz 7+3reb

Broncos - Gigantes 77-81

An interesting game was also tough home loss of Broncos in a game in Caracas versus undefeated Gigantes 81-77. The former international point guard Edwin Mijares (186-92) nailed 17 points and 6 assists for the winning side and the former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-82, agency: Pro Sports) accounted for 9 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. International point guard Garly Sojo (196-99) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and the former international center Luis Julio (201-80) added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Broncos in the defeat. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gigantes: E.Mijares 17+2reb+6ast, M.Bolivar 13+5reb+2ast, L.Duarte 12+3reb+4ast, F.Lucena 10+1reb, J.Vargas 9+8reb+4ast, G.Curvelo 8+4reb
Broncos: S.Garly 18+11reb+1ast, J.Martinez 13+5reb+2ast, J.Zapata 11+5reb+1ast, L.Julio 11+8reb+2ast, H.Diaz 9+5reb+1ast, R.Michael 5+2reb+3ast

Trotamundos - Diablos 90-66

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Diablos and Trotamundos , which took place in La Asuncion. Diablos were outleveled in a road game by Trotamundos 90-66. Trotamundos outrebounded Diablos 42-19 including a 16-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-89) fired 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-83, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Guard Jesus Centeno (190-85) produced 14 points and 4 assists and the former international forward Tulio Cobos (197-86, college: Northeastern St.) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Trotamundos and four Diablos players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Trotamundos will have a break next round. Diablos will play on the road against Guaiqueries in Porlamar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: J.Zamora 26+6reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 17+4reb+4ast, D.Smith 15+5reb+7ast, M.Marriaga 11+8reb+1ast, E.Baez 10+6reb+1ast, M.Ruiz 6+8reb+2ast
Diablos: J.Centeno 14+3reb+4ast, T.Cobos 13+6reb+1ast, M.Sierralta 12+1reb+2ast, C.Anyelo 12+5reb, J.Romero 7+1reb+2ast, M.Flores 5+2reb+2ast



Tags : NELSON PALACIOS, SPARTANS DE DISTRICTO CAPITAL CARACAS, VENEZUELAN BASKETBALL