SPB Round 1 of Regular Season

The Regular Season in SPB just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Brillantes against Gaiteros 92-90 was the most important game of the last round. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Nathan Priddy (188-1999, college: Elon) contributed with 27 points for the winners. Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St.) answered with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for Brillantes. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest. Gaiteros will try to continue on its current victory against Brillantes in Caracas.
Broncos smashed Guaros in Caracas 100-56. The former international point guard Harold Cazorla (175-1991, agency: Promo Sport ID) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 assists for the winners and Jordan Williams chipped in 19 points. Broncos' coach Nestor Garcia felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side the former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) responded with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Guaros will play next round against Taurinos trying to get back on the winning streak. Broncos will try to continue on its current victory against Heroes. It will be extra interesting game as Heroes is their local rival from Caracas.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Marinos in Maturin on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Cangrejeros 97-79. Rich Polanco nailed 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Johandryt Mendoza came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds for Marinos in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cangrejeros will meet at home Gladiadores in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Marinos will have a break next round.

Other games in round 1 were not that significant. Winless Spartans lost to undefeated Gladiadores on the road 60-70. Piratas won against Panteras on its own court 77-74. Winless Taurinos lost to undefeated Toros in Maracay 70-75. Trotamundos managed to beat Centauros at home 74-70. Winless Diablos lost to undefeated Cocodrilos on the opponent's court 53-86. Winless Llaneros were beaten by Centauros in a home game 82-87.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 24 points and 7 rebounds by Elder Gimenez of Centauros.

Broncos - Guaros 100-56

Broncos smashed Guaros in Caracas 100-56. Broncos forced 21 Guaros turnovers. Guaros were plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international point guard Harold Cazorla (175-1991, agency: Promo Sport ID) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 assists for the winners and American swingman Jordan Williams (198-1992, college: N.Texas) chipped in 19 points. Broncos' coach Nestor Garcia felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side the former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) responded with 14 points and 7 rebounds and the former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982, agency: Pro Sports) scored 8 points and 12 rebounds. Guaros will play next round against Taurinos trying to get back on the winning streak. Broncos will try to continue on its current victory against Heroes. It will be extra interesting game as Heroes is their local rival from Caracas.
Top scorers:
Guaros: H.Guillent 14+7reb+3ast, C.Alan 13+4reb, Y.Valera 9+2reb+1ast, J.Vargas 8+12reb+2ast, H.Guillent 6+1reb+3ast, O.Marquez 4+1reb+2ast
Broncos: J.Williams 19+1ast, H.Cazorla 15+3reb+5ast, E.McCree 13+5reb+1ast, R.Raymond 10+3reb+2ast, S.Garly 9+3reb+3ast, K.Pena 9+3reb+3ast

Cangrejeros - Marinos 97-79

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Marinos in Maturin on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Cangrejeros 97-79. Cangrejeros forced 27 Marinos turnovers. Dominican forward Rich Polanco (203-1997, college: S.Dakota) nailed 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Dominican swingman Luis Feliz (190-2002) accounted for 19 points and 4 steals. Johandryt Mendoza (201-1998) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and Colombian forward Miguel Fernandez (194-1992) added 20 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Marinos in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cangrejeros will meet at home Gladiadores in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Marinos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Marinos: M.Fernandez 20+5reb+1ast, J.Mendoza 16+16reb+3ast, L.Lugo 14+2reb+3ast, M.Zambrano 10+5reb+2ast, P.Randy 8, L.Diaz 6
Cangrejeros: F.Luis 19+2reb+3ast, R.Polanco 19+8reb+3ast, A.Ellis 17+2reb+1ast, L.Julio 11+5reb+2ast, E.Hernandez 9+6reb+3ast, R.Perez 8+1reb+1ast

Gaiteros - Brillantes 92-90

First defeat of league's leader Brillantes against Gaiteros 92-90 was the most important game of the last round. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Nathan Priddy (188-1999, college: Elon) contributed with 27 points for the winners. Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St.) answered with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Jamaal Smith (176-1985, college: N.Mexico) added 17 points and 5 assists in the effort for Brillantes. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest. Gaiteros will try to continue on its current victory against Brillantes in Caracas.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: J.Smith 17+4reb+5ast, J.Hollowell 14+9reb+5ast, J.Reese V 12+3reb+1ast, M.Marriaga 12+2reb, J.Medina 10+2reb+2ast, F.Fuenmayor 9+5reb+3ast
Gaiteros: N.Priddy 27+1reb+1ast, M.Butler 17+8reb+7ast, J.Centeno 15+6reb+2ast, N.Escalona 11+3reb, Q.Yanitson 8+6reb, C.Gascon 5+2ast

Gladiadores - Spartans 70-60

Gladiadores used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Caracas 70-60 on Sunday night. Gladiadores outrebounded Spartans 43-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) nailed 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American swingman Henry Walker (198-1987, college: Kansas St.) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds. Nelson Palacios (192-1992) came up with 18 points and American forward Will Davis II (203-1992, college: UC Irvine) added 18 points respectively for Spartans in the defeat. Spartans' coach Nestor Salazar rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Gladiadores will meet Cangrejeros in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spartans will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Spartans: W.Davis II 18+4reb, N.Palacios 18+3reb+2ast, J.Rodriguez 7+6reb, H.Bompart 7+2reb, C.Williamson 4+3reb, L.Palacios 4+1reb
Gladiadores: J.Adams 18+3reb+1ast, H.Walker 17+5reb+1ast, G.Vargas 17+7reb+4ast, C.Garcia 9+8reb+1ast, A.Perez 5+8reb+1ast, J.Romero 2+4reb

Piratas - Panteras 77-74

Piratas used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Caracas 77-74 on Sunday night. Piratas forced 20 Panteras turnovers. Strangely Panteras outrebounded Piratas 39-25 including 29 on the defensive glass. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) nailed 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and American swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) accounted for 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international swingman Pedro Chourio (186-1990, agency: Pro Sports) came up with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Wilkerman Gomez (190-2001) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Panteras in the defeat. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Piratas will meet Diablos in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Panteras' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Panteras: W.Gomez 18+5reb+1ast, P.Chourio 15+7reb+5ast, A.Jhonatan 12+11reb, A.Holmes 10+1reb+6ast, J.Diaz 9+2reb+2ast, G.Yeferson 4+4reb+2ast
Piratas: Q.Davis 20+5reb+2ast, J.Suero 19+8reb+2ast, R.Jesus 11+1reb+2ast, D.Ramirez 9+2reb+2ast, J.Vargas 9+4reb+1ast, A.Morillo 4

Toros - Taurinos 75-70

Toros used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from La Asuncion 75-70 on Sunday night. Toros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Taurinos will play against Guaros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Trotamundos - Centauros 74-70

There was a minor upset when Centauros lost to Trotamundos in La Asuncion 70-74 on Saturday. Trotamundos dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Centauros' 24. American swingman Mario Little (198-1987, college: Kansas) nailed 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) accounted for 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international forward Elder Gimenez (186-1991) came up with 19 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Danny Arias (193-1997) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Centauros in the defeat. Four Centauros players scored in double figures. Centauros' coach Alexis Cedres tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Trotamundos will meet Llaneros in the next round. Centauros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Centauros: E.Gimenez 19+6reb+1ast, D.Arias 17+8reb+1ast, H.Diaz 12+4reb+2ast, S.Safar 10+2reb+3ast, L.Germany 7+4reb, D.Rondon 4+1reb+8ast
Trotamundos: M.Little 15+5reb+2ast, J.Zamora 12+3reb+4ast, N.Colmenares 8+6reb+1ast, S.Kennedy 8+1reb, E.Baez 8+1reb+3ast, D.Smith 7+7reb+5ast

Cocodrilos - Diablos 86-53

Cocodrilos used a home court advantage and outplayed the opponent from Caracas 86-53 on Sunday night. Cocodrilos forced 20 Diablos turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Diablos' players. The former international point guard Edwin Mijares (186-1992) nailed a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 assists for the winning side and Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) accounted for 10 points and 8 rebounds. Four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Forward Jose Manaure (193-1987) came up with 16 points and Dominican forward Bayron Matos (206, college: S.Florida) added 6 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Diablos in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Panteras.
Top scorers:
Diablos: J.Manaure 16+3reb, G.Edry 9+4reb+1ast, L.Montes 6+5reb+1ast, B.Matos 6+9reb+2ast, R.Santana 6+2reb, C.Elian 4+2reb+2ast
Cocodrilos: C.Anyelo 16+4reb, E.Mijares 14+2reb+12ast, C.Garcia 13+1reb+1ast, L.Montero 10+8reb+3ast, M.Bolivar 9+1reb, L.Bethelmy 8+6reb+3ast

Llaneros - Centauros 82-87

There was a minor upset when Llaneros lost to Centauros in Caracas 82-87 on Sunday. Centauros forced 24 Llaneros turnovers. The former international forward Elder Gimenez (186-1991) nailed 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and swingman Danny Arias (193-1997) accounted for 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Nigerian power forward Prince Orizu (208-1994, agency: Areus Sports) came up with 18 points and 6 rebounds and Dominican point guard Yerri Flores (188-1996, college: High School) added 13 points respectively for Llaneros in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Centauros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Llaneros will play against Trotamundos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: P.Orizu 18+6reb, Y.Flores 13+3reb+3ast, L.Thomas 12+1reb+3ast, J.Martinez 11+1reb, J.Williams 10+3reb+5ast, C.Centeno 5+7reb+3ast
Centauros: E.Gimenez 24+7reb+2ast, D.Arias 24+6reb, H.Diaz 12+7reb+2ast, S.Safar 10+4reb+1ast, D.Alvarez 9+4reb+6ast, D.Rondon 8+1reb+2ast



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