SPB Round 15 (Regular Season): Cocodrilos keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Cocodrilos as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cocodrilos defeated 3rd placed Piratas in Caracas 100-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Piratas. It was a great shooting night for Cocodrilos especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) helped adding 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos (8-2) have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Piratas at the other side keep the third place with five games lost. Piratas will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Cocodrilos will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Centauros in Margarita.
Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Fourth ranked Brillantes (5-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Frontinos (2-7) 70-68 on Sunday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Dominican point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Marquez Letcher-Ellis accounted for 19 points and 12 rebounds. Brillantes' coach Gustavo Garcia allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for Frontinos in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Brillantes. They maintain fourth place with 5-4 record, which they share with Heroes. Frontinos at the other side keep the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Llaneros. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Margarita (derby !!!) between Panteras and Centauros. Eighth ranked Panteras (3-7) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Centauros (3-7). Panteras managed to escape with a 2-point win 81-79 in the game for the seventh place. The best player for the winners was Windi Graterol who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Isaac Thornton who recorded 23 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Centauros. Panteras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Centauros will play against the league's leader Cocodrilos (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

In the last game of round 15 Gladiadores won against Spartans on the opponent's court 90-78.



Brillantes - Frontinos 70-68

Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Fourth ranked Brillantes (5-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Frontinos (2-7) 70-68 on Sunday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Dominican point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. American forward Marquez Letcher-Ellis (203-1997, college: Nevada) accounted for 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. Brillantes' coach Gustavo Garcia allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and the former international center Miguel Bolivar (205-1992) added 12 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for Frontinos in the defeat. Four Frontinos players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Brillantes. They maintain fourth place with 5-4 record, which they share with Heroes. Frontinos at the other side keep the seventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Llaneros. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Frontinos: L.Bearden 16+2reb+3ast, R.Amardi 14+10reb, J.Payen 14+2reb+1ast, M.Bolivar 12+9reb, A.Peacock 4+5reb+1ast, C.Silva 3+4reb+5ast
Brillantes: R.Bautista 22+7reb+8ast, M.Letcher-Ellis 19+12reb+1ast, J.Reese V 16+2reb+1ast, B.Duran 4+1reb+2ast, J.Guillen 3+3reb+3ast, L.Germany 3+4reb

Spartans - Gladiadores 78-90

Very expected game in Caracas where 5th ranked Spartans (4-5) were defeated by first ranked Gladiadores (10-1) 90-78 on Sunday. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Gladiadores players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, agency: Pro Sports) who recorded 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Will Davis II (203-1992, college: UC Irvine) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion maintains first place with 10-1 record. Loser Spartans keep the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with Broncos. Gladiadores will meet at home Toros (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Pioneros.
Top scorers:
Spartans: Y.Sifontes 18+9reb+4ast, J.Perez 14+3reb+2ast, W.Davis II 10+6reb+3ast, H.Bompart 8+4reb+2ast, P.Jones III 7+5reb+1ast, D.Brooks 7+1reb+1ast
Gladiadores: A.Perez 19+3reb+1ast, G.Vargas 13+5reb+7ast, M.Carrera 13+7reb+3ast, S.Hogan 11+4reb+1ast, P.Jackson 9+5ast, C.Garcia 8+6reb+1ast

Centauros - Panteras 79-81

A very close game took place in Margarita (derby !!!) between Panteras and Centauros. Eighth ranked Panteras (3-7) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Centauros (3-7). Panteras managed to escape with a 2-point win 81-79 in the game for the seventh place. The best player for the winners was the former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. American guard Gerald Williams (190-1991, college: La Sierra) chipped in 19 points and 6 assists. Five Panteras players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) who recorded 23 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import forward Josh Cunningham (203-1996, college: Dayton) added 15 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Centauros. Panteras will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Centauros will play against the league's leader Cocodrilos (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Centauros: I.Thornton 23+6reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 15+11reb+1ast, L.Capalbo 13+2reb+2ast, L.Lopez 9+11reb+3ast, Y.Valera 7+2reb, K.Pena 5+1reb+1ast
Panteras: G.Williams 19+2reb+6ast, W.Graterol 15+11reb+1ast, E.Alcala 14+7reb, C.Raines 13+8reb+1ast, Y.Guerra 12+5reb+1ast, E.Bernal 4+4reb+3ast

Cocodrilos - Piratas 100-91

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Cocodrilos as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cocodrilos defeated 3rd placed Piratas in Caracas 100-91. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Piratas. It was a great shooting night for Cocodrilos especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) helped adding 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international point guard Arian Amundaray (192-2000) scored 17 points and 5 assists. Five Cocodrilos and four Piratas players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos (8-2) have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Piratas at the other side keep the third place with five games lost. Piratas will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Cocodrilos will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Centauros in Margarita.
Top scorers:
Piratas: J.Suero 24+7reb+8ast, M.Watkins 18+6reb, A.Amundaray 17+3reb+5ast, D.Hollis 15+6reb+1ast, J.Matos 6+1ast, E.Williams 6+8reb+2ast
Cocodrilos: J.Guerrero 25+8reb+2ast, L.Betancourt 14+2reb, L.Montero 12+5reb+6ast, T.Cooper 11+1reb+3ast, A.Cisneros 10+6reb+2ast, D.Smith 9+3reb+1ast