SLB Round 5 (Second Stage): Gigantes are defeated by Spartans

There will be only one (last) round of the Second Stage in SLB. What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team and favorites losing the games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Gigantes (3-1) in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Spartans (3-2) 77-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gigantes. International center Windi Graterol (204-86, agency: Pro Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-95) chipped in 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international forward Axiers Sucre (199-78) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Gigantes' coach Carlos Gil tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Spartans went down to fourth position due to points difference. Gigantes at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Broncos. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gigantes will play at home against Cocodrilos and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Margarita. Seventh ranked Gladiadores (2-2) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Centauros (1-4) 83-81 in the game for the seventh place. Point guard Humberto Bompart (183-94) nailed 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and Raymond Rada accounted for 18 points. The former international Jose Bracho (190-98) came up with 32 points and 6 rebounds for Centauros in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gladiadores maintains seventh place with 2-2 record. Centauros at the other side keep the eighth position with four games lost.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) against sixth ranked Broncos (3-1) on Wednesday night. Host Guaiqueries were defeated by Broncos in a tough game in Porlamar 85-93. It ended at the same time the 18-game winning streak of Guaiqueries. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The best player for the winners was Garly Sojo who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds. Heissler Guillent produced 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Broncos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Gigantes. Loser Guaiqueries dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. They share it with Cocodrilos. Broncos will meet league's leader Trotamundos in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Guaiqueries will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Their close opponent host Cocodrilos (2-1) were smashed by third ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) 77-58. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Francisco Centeno orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Guaiqueries went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries will have a break next round. Cocodrilos will play on the road against the league's second-placed Gigantes (#2) in Puerto Ordaz and hope to win that game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Second-ranked host Spartans (3-2) lost to leader Trotamundos (4-0) 77-72. Donta Smith stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Trotamundos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record. Defending champion Spartans dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. Trotamundos will face Broncos (#3) in Caracas in the next round, which may be the game of the day.

Gigantes - Spartans 76-77

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Gigantes (3-1) in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Spartans (3-2) 77-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gigantes. International center Windi Graterol (204-86, agency: Pro Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-95) chipped in 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international forward Axiers Sucre (199-78) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Luis Duarte (190-94) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Gigantes' coach Carlos Gil tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Spartans went down to fourth position due to points difference. Gigantes at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Broncos. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gigantes will play at home against Cocodrilos and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Gigantes: E.Mijares 16+4ast, L.Duarte 15+6reb+2ast, A.Sucre 12+13reb+4ast, G.Curvelo 9+6reb, A.Arias 7+1reb, M.Bolivar 6+3reb
Spartans: W.Graterol 20+12reb, Y.Sifontes 19+6reb+7ast, N.Palacios 17+3reb+4ast, J.Rodriguez 9, M.Escobar 6+1ast, L.Lopez 2+3reb

Guaiqueries - Broncos 85-93

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) against sixth ranked Broncos (3-1) on Wednesday night. Host Guaiqueries were defeated by Broncos in a tough game in Porlamar 85-93. It ended at the same time the 18-game winning streak of Guaiqueries. It was a key game for the second position in the league. They outrebounded Guaiqueries 50-31 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was international point guard Garly Sojo (196-99) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds. The former international center Luis Julio (201-80) chipped in 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. International point guard Heissler Guillent (186-86) produced 17 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and international Gendry Correa (190-96) added 25 points respectively for the hosts. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Broncos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Gigantes. Loser Guaiqueries dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. They share it with Cocodrilos. Broncos will meet league's leader Trotamundos in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Guaiqueries will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: G.Correa 25+1reb+1ast, H.Guillent 17+8reb+8ast, J.Ascanio 13+6reb+6ast, E.Martinez 13+2reb+2ast, J.Martinez 8+3reb, L.Palacios 5+1reb+2ast
Broncos: S.Garly 27+17reb+3ast, J.Martinez 12+5reb, L.Julio 11+6reb+5ast, R.Michael 9+7reb+6ast, J.Zapata 9+2reb+2ast, H.Diaz 9+4reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Guaiqueries 58-77

The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Their close opponent host Cocodrilos (2-1) were smashed by third ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) 77-58. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to Cocodrilos' 22. They outrebounded Cocodrilos 43-25 including a 35-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-85) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. International point guard Heissler Guillent (186-86) contributed with 12 points and 6 assists for the winners. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-86) answered with 15 points and the former international point guard Gregory Vargas (182-86, agency: Pro Sports) added 8 points and 4 assists in the effort for Cocodrilos. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Guaiqueries went down to fifth position due to points difference, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries will have a break next round. Cocodrilos will play on the road against the league's second-placed Gigantes (#2) in Puerto Ordaz and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: L.Bethelmy 15+3reb, G.Vargas 8+2reb+4ast, C.Garcia 7+1reb+2ast, E.Gimenez 6+7reb, K.Caraballo 5+3reb+1ast, E.Hernandez 5+1reb+2ast
Guaiqueries: L.Palacios 16+3reb+1ast, M.Carrera 14+2reb, F.Centeno 12+10reb+4ast, H.Guillent 12+3reb+6ast, E.Montano 7+2reb, E.Martinez 5+3reb+1ast

Centauros - Gladiadores 81-83

Important game to mention about took place in Margarita. Seventh ranked Gladiadores (2-2) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Centauros (1-4) 83-81 in the game for the seventh place. Point guard Humberto Bompart (183-94) nailed 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and international swingman Raymond Rada (194-97) accounted for 18 points. The former international Jose Bracho (190-98) came up with 32 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Jorge Rondon (193-90) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Centauros in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gladiadores maintains seventh place with 2-2 record. Centauros at the other side keep the eighth position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Centauros: J.Bracho 32+6reb, J.Rondon 12+7reb+3ast, L.Germany 11+9reb+1ast, Y.Valera 8+2reb+4ast, L.Betancourt 7+1reb+2ast, J.Sulbaran 5+1reb
Gladiadores: H.Bompart 19+5reb+2ast, R.Rada 18+3reb, L.Velasquez 11+3reb, C.Cedeno 9+3reb+5ast, D.Martinez 7+2reb+4ast, K.Gonzalez 7+2reb+1ast

Spartans - Trotamundos 72-77

The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Second-ranked host Spartans (3-2) lost to leader Trotamundos (4-0) 77-72. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-83, college: SE Illinois JC) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-89) chipped in 20 points and 6 rebounds. The former international Jose Rodriguez (197-94) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and international center Windi Graterol (204-86, agency: Pro Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. Trotamundos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-0 record. Defending champion Spartans dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. Trotamundos will face Broncos (#3) in Caracas in the next round, which may be the game of the day.
Top scorers:
Spartans: N.Palacios 13+2reb+1ast, A.Blanco 13+3ast, J.Rodriguez 11+13reb+5ast, W.Graterol 10+10reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 9+4reb+3ast, L.Lopez 9+3reb
Trotamundos: D.Smith 24+10reb+3ast, J.Zamora 20+6reb+1ast, D.Cubillan 11+3ast, C.Milano 8+2reb, M.Ruiz 6+4reb+2ast, M.Marriaga 5+6reb+2ast



Tags : WINDI GRATEROL, SPARTANS DE DISTRICTO CAPITAL CARACAS, VENEZUELAN BASKETBALL