SPB Round 9 (Regular Season): Gaiteros edge Centauros by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the SPB took place in Margarita. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked Centauros (2-4) to seventh ranked Gaiteros (2-3) 73-72 in the game for the fifth place. The best player for the winners was DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Kevin Allen (211-1994, college: Emporia St.) who recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gaiteros moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Llaneros. Centauros at the other side keep the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with Toros. Gaiteros is looking forward to face higher ranked Cocodrilos (#4) in Caracas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Centauros will have a break next round.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Pioneros (#3). Gladiadores (7-0) crushed visiting Pioneros (4-3) by 17 points 96-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Pioneros. It was a good game for the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Gregory Vargas contributed with 10 points and 10 assists for the winners. International Elian Centeno (200-2000) answered with 13 points and 6 rebounds for Pioneros. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Gladiadores have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record. Pioneros at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Broncos.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in La Asuncion. Second ranked Trotamundos faced 4th placed Spartans. Host Trotamundos (5-2) defeated guests from Caracas (3-2) 80-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Spartans. Jeremiah Wilson stepped up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Luismal Ferreiras with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Spartans' coach Jesus Cordovez rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Trotamundos maintains second place with 5-2 record behind leader Gladiadores. Loser Spartans keep the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Cocodrilos and Heroes. Trotamundos will meet Llaneros (#5) in the next round. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Pioneros.

In the last two games of round 9 Toros were defeated by Frontinos in Tachira 72-59. Panteras were beaten by Marinos at home 71-76.
The best stats of 9th round was 22 points and 9 rebounds by Yeferson Guerra of Panteras.



Frontinos - Toros 72-59

There was a minor upset in Tachira where 6th ranked Toros (2-4) were defeated by ninth ranked Frontinos (1-5) 72-59 on Wednesday. Frontinos forced 23 Toros turnovers and outrebounded them 48-36 including a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Canadian Anthony Peacock (206-1999, college: MWSU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds for the winners and American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) chipped in 13 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Four Frontinos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) with 19 points and Swiss forward Michel-Ofik Nzege (203-1992, college: ECU) scored 7 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Frontinos left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras. Loser Toros keep the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with Centauros. Frontinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Toros will play against Brillantes (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toros: A.Spruill 19+3reb, J.Glover 10+2reb, M.Nzege 7+9reb, J.Vargas 6, E.Tillman 6+8reb, J.Vargas 6+6reb+1ast
Frontinos: A.Peacock 17+19reb+1ast, L.Bearden 13+4reb+5ast, S.Quiroz 13+2reb, R.Amardi 12+6reb+1ast, J.Payen 7+3reb+1ast, M.Bolivar 6+8reb

Trotamundos - Spartans 80-73

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in La Asuncion. Second ranked Trotamundos faced 4th placed Spartans. Host Trotamundos (5-2) defeated guests from Caracas (3-2) 80-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Spartans. American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and American point guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Trotamundos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Dominican Luismal Ferreiras (200-2003, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds and the former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, agency: Pro Sports) scored 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Spartans' coach Jesus Cordovez rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Trotamundos maintains second place with 5-2 record behind leader Gladiadores. Loser Spartans keep the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Cocodrilos and Heroes. Trotamundos will meet Llaneros (#5) in the next round. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Pioneros.
Top scorers:
Spartans: N.Palacios 15+1reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 13+6reb+4ast, L.Ferreiras 11+12reb+1ast, J.Perez 9+2reb+2ast, L.Carrillo 6+4reb, G.Natesan 5+1reb
Trotamundos: T.Crump 13+3reb, C.James 13+5reb+4ast, N.Colmenares 11+6reb+1ast, D.Smith 10+3reb+2ast, E.Baez 10+1reb+1ast, J.Wilson 10+15reb

Centauros - Gaiteros 72-73

The most exciting game of round 9 in the SPB took place in Margarita. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 6th ranked Centauros (2-4) to seventh ranked Gaiteros (2-3) 73-72 in the game for the fifth place. The best player for the winners was DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Kevin Allen (211-1994, college: Emporia St.) who recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Four Centauros players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gaiteros moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Llaneros. Centauros at the other side keep the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with Toros. Gaiteros is looking forward to face higher ranked Cocodrilos (#4) in Caracas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Centauros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Centauros: K.Allen 16+8reb+1ast, L.Capalbo 13+4reb+2ast, I.Thornton 13+6reb+2ast, J.Cunningham 13+6reb+1ast, D.Rondon 5+2ast, J.Bracho 4+2reb+1ast
Gaiteros: M.Warren 21+7reb+1ast, V.Okouo 15+12reb+2ast, J.Evans 14+4reb+2ast, M.Wright 7+2reb+2ast, K.Nino 3+3reb+1ast, J.Diaz 3+2reb

Gladiadores - Pioneros 96-79

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Pioneros (#3). Gladiadores (7-0) crushed visiting Pioneros (4-3) by 17 points 96-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Pioneros. They outrebounded Pioneros 42-31 including a 34-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gladiadores shot the lights out from three nailing 17 long-distance shots on high 56.7 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with 14 points and 8 rebounds. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 assists for the winners. International Elian Centeno (200-2000) answered with 13 points and 6 rebounds and American Will Daniels (202-1986, college: URI) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Pioneros. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record. Pioneros at the other side keep the third position with three games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Broncos.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: W.Daniels 14+5reb+2ast, E.Centeno 13+6reb+3ast, J.Gonzalez 12+2reb+2ast, T.Bond 11+3reb+1ast, F.Pichardo 11+4reb+1ast, J.Mendez 7+5reb
Gladiadores: P.Jackson 17+1ast, A.Henriquez 14+5reb+3ast, M.Carrera 14+8reb+2ast, A.Perez 14+7reb, S.Hogan 13+3reb+3ast, G.Vargas 10+2reb+10ast

Panteras - Marinos 71-76

No shocking result in a game in Caracas where first ranked Marinos (6-1) defeated 8th ranked Panteras (1-5) 76-71 on Thursday. Panamanian-Mexican center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) stepped up and scored 8 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and American guard Landers Nolley II (201-2000, college: Cincinnati) chipped in 20 points. Marinos' coach Lluis Pino used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was the former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) with 22 points and 9 rebounds and American guard Gerald Williams (190-1991, college: La Sierra) scored 16 points. Marinos maintains first place with 6-1 record. Panteras lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with Frontinos. Marinos will meet Diablos (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: Y.Guerra 22+9reb+1ast, G.Williams 16+3ast, A.White III 11+3reb, W.Graterol 8+6reb, C.Raines 7+8reb+1ast, E.Bernal 3+2ast
Marinos: L.Nolley II 20+1reb+2ast, C.Lemus 14+5reb+1ast, L.Bethelmy 11+6reb+2ast, J.Glynn 9+5reb+2ast, J.Ibarra 8+15reb+2ast, J.Stone 7+2reb+6ast