SPB Round 14: Gladiadores hand first loss to Cocodrilos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Cocodrilos (4-1) in Caracas on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Gladiadores (7-1) 71-67. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with 11 points and 8 assists for the winners. Gladiadores' coach Nelson Solorzano used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican guard Gelvis Solano (185-1994, college: Merrimack) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 assists for Cocodrilos. Gladiadores maintains first position with 7-1 record which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. Gladiadores are looking forward to face Taurinos (#4) in La Asuncion in the next round. Cocodrilos will play on the road against Supersonicos in Margarita and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Spartans (3-5) which hosted in Caracas 4th ranked Taurinos (1-5). Third ranked Spartans managed to get a 4-point victory 88-84. International center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Jose Rodriguez chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. American power forward Kwame Alexander (201-1990, college: CSUSB, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Spartans moved-up to second place, which they share with Brillantes. Taurinos lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Taurinos will play at home against the league's leader Gladiadores (#1) to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game for Broncos (6-3) which played road game in Maracaibo against one of their biggest challengers Gaiteros (3-4). Second ranked Broncos managed to get a 6-point victory 96-90. Musa Abdul-Aleem notched 36 points (!!!) to lead the effort. Even 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists by Elyjah Clark did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Broncos maintains second position with 6-3 record having just six point less than leader Centauros. Loser Gaiteros keep the third place with four games lost. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Brillantes.

In the last two games of round 14 Guaros were smashed by Centauros on the road 83-64. Trotamundos destroyed Toros on its own court 79-57.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 15 points by Nestor Colmenares of Trotamundos.

Spartans - Taurinos 88-84

An interesting game for Spartans (3-5) which hosted in Caracas 4th ranked Taurinos (1-5). Third ranked Spartans managed to get a 4-point victory 88-84. Spartans outrebounded Taurinos 34-23 including 27 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. International center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international Jose Rodriguez (197-1994) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. American power forward Kwame Alexander (201-1990, college: CSUSB, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import guard Kennedy Jones (188-1989, college: Arlington Baptist) scored 23 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Spartans moved-up to second place, which they share with Brillantes. Taurinos lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with five games lost. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Taurinos will play at home against the league's leader Gladiadores (#1) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Spartans: L.Vick 16+2reb+4ast, E.Montano 16+6reb+1ast, W.Graterol 15+6reb+4ast, R.Galloway 15+3reb+2ast, J.Rodriguez 14+10reb+1ast, N.Palacios 9+4reb+9ast
Taurinos: K.Jones 23+1reb+4ast, B.Francis 21+4ast, K.Alexander 21+10reb+5ast, A.Johnson 12+6reb+1ast, R.Valdez 3, J.Rodriguez 2+3reb+2ast

Cocodrilos - Gladiadores 67-71

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Cocodrilos (4-1) in Caracas on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Gladiadores (7-1) 71-67. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with 11 points and 8 assists for the winners. Four Gladiadores players scored in double figures. Gladiadores' coach Nelson Solorzano used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican guard Gelvis Solano (185-1994, college: Merrimack) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 assists and American power forward Diamond Stone (210-1997, college: Maryland) added 18 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Cocodrilos. Gladiadores maintains first position with 7-1 record which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. Gladiadores are looking forward to face Taurinos (#4) in La Asuncion in the next round. Cocodrilos will play on the road against Supersonicos in Margarita and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 20+8reb+1ast, N.Romano 13+4reb, A.Perez 12+5reb+1ast, G.Vargas 11+3reb+8ast, J.Martinez 4+7reb+1ast, J.Mendez 3+1reb
Cocodrilos: D.Stone 18+5reb+1ast, G.Solano 13+4reb+12ast, P.Chourio 10+6reb+3ast, L.Bethelmy 9+8reb, L.Montero 5+5reb+1ast, J.Martinez 5+1reb+1ast

Gaiteros - Broncos 90-96

An interesting game for Broncos (6-3) which played road game in Maracaibo against one of their biggest challengers Gaiteros (3-4). Second ranked Broncos managed to get a 6-point victory 96-90. Broncos forced 19 Gaiteros turnovers. American Musa Abdul-Aleem (196-1988, college: Troy, agency: BIG) notched 36 points (!!!) to lead the effort and international point guard Garly Sojo (196-1999, agency: Pro Sports) supported him with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard Elyjah Clark (190-1998, college: MSSU) did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. The former international swingman Jorge Rondon (193-1990) added 17 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Four Gaiteros players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Broncos maintains second position with 6-3 record having just six point less than leader Centauros. Loser Gaiteros keep the third place with four games lost. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Brillantes.
Top scorers:
Broncos: M.Abdul-Aleem 36+2reb, S.Garly 13+8reb+5ast, J.Narcis 12+3reb+1ast, L.Palacios 6+1reb+1ast, J.Finol 6+5reb, H.Diaz 5+1reb+1ast
Gaiteros: E.Clark 21+7reb+6ast, J.Rondon 17+7reb+1ast, S.Barro 16+5reb+1ast, B.Johnson 13+3reb+1ast, M.Colina 8+1reb, A.Wintering 7+4reb+2ast

Centauros - Guaros 83-64

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Centauros (7-3) crushed 5th ranked Guaros (2-7) in Margarita 83-64 on Friday. Centauros outrebounded Guaros 43-24 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Spanish-Dominican power forward Jhonatan Araujo (206-1996) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort and Argentinian swingman Martin Fernandez (195-1997) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 13 points and 4 assists by guard Heldrin Guillent (180-1998) did not help to save the game for Guaros. The former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982, agency: Pro Sports) added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Centauros have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 7-3 record. Guaros lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Centauros: J.Araujo 19+17reb, M.Fernandez 17+5reb+3ast, J.Vargas 15+5reb+3ast, K.Pena 14+2reb+4ast, J.Arengo 8+5reb+4ast, L.Germany 4+2reb
Guaros: H.Guillent 13+3reb+4ast, Y.Valera 12+2reb+1ast, C.Alan 11+2reb, J.Vargas 10+5reb+4ast, M.Diaz 9+3reb+2ast, N.Coutin 5+4reb+1ast

Trotamundos - Toros 79-57

Very expected game when 5th ranked Toros (1-6) were smashed by top-ranked Trotamundos (8-0) in La Asuncion 79-57 on Friday. Trotamundos outrebounded Toros 45-28 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Dwayne Davis (196-1989, college: Southern Miss) notched 18 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and international center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, college: Campbellsville, agency: Pro Sports) supported him with 15 points. Even 11 points and 4 assists by forward Drexler Mejias (197-1992, college: Weatherford JC) did not help to save the game for Toros. Juan Caraballo (190-1999) added 12 points for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-0 record. Loser Toros keep the fifth place with six games lost. Trotamundos will meet Llaneros (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: D.Davis 18+5reb+2ast, N.Colmenares 15+4reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 11+2reb+3ast, C.Milano 7+6reb+1ast, M.Ruiz 6+8reb+2ast, D.Smith 6+3reb+6ast
Toros: J.Caraballo 12+4reb, D.Mejias 11+4reb+4ast, T.Edson 10+2reb+3ast, V.Jose 6+2reb, J.Vargas 5+1ast, D.Macuare 4+6reb+5ast



Tags : MICHAEL CARRERA, GLADIADORES DE ANZOATEGUI, VENEZUELAN BASKETBALL