SPB Round 16 (Regular Season): Centauros defeat Cocodrilos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (8-3) in Caracas on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Centauros (4-7) 101-98. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Centauros made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Cocodrilos outrebounded Centauros 42-24 including a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) who helped to win the game recording 25 points. Naturalized Dominican Kelvin Pena (193-1980, college: Southeastern) contributed with 22 points for the winners. Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for Cocodrilos. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Centauros maintains seventh position with 4-7 record. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. They share the position with Marinos. Centauros are looking forward to face higher ranked Piratas (#3) in La Guaira in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cocodrilos will have a break next round.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Broncos (#5) and Llaneros (#7). Broncos (5-5) smashed visiting Llaneros (2-8) by 21 points 104-83. Worth to mention a great performance of Spanish-Dominican power forward Jhonatan Araujo (206-1996, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Jordan Williams who added 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 5-5 record. Llaneros lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Spartans (#5). Spartans were defeated at home 91-96 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The winners were led by Fausto Pichardo who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Even 19 points and 7 rebounds by Will Davis II did not help to save the game for Spartans. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Pioneros maintains third position with 7-5 record behind leader Gladiadores, which they share with Piratas. Spartans lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 16 Gaiteros were beaten by Diablos on the road 108-103. Gladiadores won against Toros on its own court 86-70.
The most impressive performance of 16th round was 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists by Luis Montero of Cocodrilos.



Diablos - Gaiteros 108-103

There was a surprise result when ninth ranked Diablos (3-8) beat higher ranked Gaiteros (5-6) in Caracas 108-103 on Monday. Diablos made 27-of-35 free shots (77.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) who scored that evening 38 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 9 assists and American-Dominican center Justin Satchell (203-1995, college: St.Leo) supported him with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Even a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds by DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Four Diablos and five Gaiteros players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Diablos maintains ninth position with 3-8 record. Loser Gaiteros keep the fifth place with six games lost. Diablos will meet higher ranked Guaiqueries (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Gaiteros will play against the league's leader Marinos having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: M.Warren 18+11reb+4ast, V.Okouo 18+14reb+1ast, M.Butler 15+3reb+2ast, K.Nino 14+4reb+1ast, J.Diaz 11+4reb+3ast, Y.Quintero 10+6reb+1ast
Diablos: R.Ferguson 38+9reb+9ast, B.Vazquez 21+2reb+1ast, J.Satchell 17+12reb+2ast, E.Gonzalez 13+5reb+4ast, A.Arias 7+9reb+1ast, J.Vargas 7+3reb+2ast

Broncos - Llaneros 104-83

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Broncos (#5) and Llaneros (#7). Broncos (5-5) smashed visiting Llaneros (2-8) by 21 points 104-83. Broncos made 17-of-19 charity shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Broncos had a 30-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. Broncos players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Spanish-Dominican power forward Jhonatan Araujo (206-1996, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) who added 21 points during the contest. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds and the former international forward Elder Gimenez (197-1991) scored 15 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 5-5 record. Llaneros lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Wright 18+5reb+2ast, Y.Flores 18+1reb+1ast, E.Gimenez 15+3reb+3ast, Y.Llerena 9+6reb+1ast, L.Debaut 7+3reb+3ast, C.Centeno 6+4reb+5ast
Broncos: J.Williams 21+4reb+2ast, T.Wilkerson 19+3reb+2ast, J.Araujo 14+10reb+4ast, R.James 11+1reb+8ast, R.Roca 10+2reb+1ast, L.Duarte 9+7reb+1ast

Gladiadores - Toros 86-70

Very expected game when 9th ranked Toros (2-9) lost to first ranked Gladiadores (11-1) in Caracas 70-86 on Tuesday. Gladiadores dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Toros' 30. The winners were led by Costa Rican-Belizean Charles Garcia (204-1988, college: Seattle) who scored that evening 15 points and 8 rebounds and the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) supported him with 16 points. Four Gladiadores players scored in double figures. Even 19 points by American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) did not help to save the game for Toros. Power forward Brian Guidi (200-1991) added 7 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 11-1 record. Toros lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with nine games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Brillantes.
Top scorers:
Toros: A.Spruill 19+4reb+2ast, J.Vargas 12+3reb+2ast, J.Glover 9+5reb+1ast, E.Tillman 8+3reb, B.Guidi 7+9reb+1ast, A.Barrios 5+1reb
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 16+3reb+3ast, C.Garcia 15+8reb+3ast, A.Henriquez 12+3reb+4ast, A.Perez 11+1reb, S.Hogan 8+2reb+1ast, G.Vargas 7+5reb+5ast

Spartans - Pioneros 91-96

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Spartans (#5). Spartans were defeated at home 91-96 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Pioneros outrebounded Spartans 46-35 including 18 on the offensive glass. Pioneros looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by American-Dominican Fausto Pichardo (203-1995, college: Alabama St., agency: BMS Sport Agency) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and international Elian Centeno (200-2000) supported him with 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 19 points and 7 rebounds by American forward Will Davis II (203-1992, college: UC Irvine) did not help to save the game for Spartans. The former international Jose Rodriguez (197-1994) added 16 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Five Pioneros and four Spartans players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Pioneros maintains third position with 7-5 record behind leader Gladiadores, which they share with Piratas. Spartans lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Spartans: W.Davis II 19+7reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 16+6reb, Y.Sifontes 11+5reb+4ast, H.Bompart 11+3reb+1ast, P.Jones III 9+7reb, D.Brooks 8+3reb
Pioneros: W.Daniels 21+3reb+2ast, F.Pichardo 19+11reb+5ast, E.Centeno 15+14reb+4ast, B.Russell 14+1reb+2ast, T.Bond 13+6reb+7ast, J.Gonzalez 4+1reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Centauros 98-101

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (8-3) in Caracas on Tuesday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Centauros (4-7) 101-98. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Centauros made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Cocodrilos outrebounded Centauros 42-24 including a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Isaac Thornton (193-1991, college: Fairmont St.) who helped to win the game recording 25 points. Naturalized Dominican Kelvin Pena (193-1980, college: Southeastern) contributed with 22 points for the winners. Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) added 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Cocodrilos. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Centauros maintains seventh position with 4-7 record. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. They share the position with Marinos. Centauros are looking forward to face higher ranked Piratas (#3) in La Guaira in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cocodrilos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: J.Guerrero 24+10reb+5ast, F.Hassell 22+9reb, L.Montero 16+12reb+5ast, O.Silverio 14+1reb+6ast, E.Hernandez 9+2reb+2ast, F.Pirela 6+1reb+1ast
Centauros: I.Thornton 25+3reb+1ast, K.Pena 22+2reb+3ast, L.Capalbo 19+1reb+4ast, J.Cunningham 10+9reb+4ast, D.Rondon 9+2ast, L.Lopez 6+4reb+4ast