SPB Round 19 (Regular Season): Marinos lose to Cocodrilos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Marinos (9-4) in Puerto La Cruz on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by Cocodrilos (10-3) 74-71. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Marinos. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American-Dominican guard Omar Silverio (190-1998, college: WVU) fired 17 points and 5 assists for the winners. American Dylan Smith (196-1997, college: Arizona) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 19 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos keep a position of league leader, which they share with Trotamundos. Marinos at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost. Cocodrilos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Marinos will play at home against Centauros and are hoping to win this game.
Eighth-ranked Llaneros (3-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Gladiadores (13-1) in Caracas. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 78-75. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 24 points. Charles Garcia contributed with 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Dominican point guard Yerri Flores (188-1996, college: High School) answered with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Llaneros. Llaneros' coach Oscar Silva rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gladiadores have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-1 record. Llaneros at the other side keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Gladiadores will play against Toros (#9) in Maracay in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Llaneros will play on the road against the league's second-placed Trotamundos in La Asuncion and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Tachira was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Spartans (4-8) played at the court of eighth ranked Frontinos (4-8). Frontinos defeated Spartans 89-77 on Sunday. It was a great evening for Lamonte Bearden who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 8 assists. At the losing side Will Davis II responded with 23 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Frontinos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Spartans and Centauros. Spartans lost fifth consecutive game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 19 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Centauros were defeated by Guaiqueries in Porlamar 72-62. Diablos were beaten by Heroes at home 94-100. Panteras won against Gaiteros on the opponent's court 72-67.
The best stats of 19th round was 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists by Micheal Warren of Gaiteros.



Frontinos - Spartans 89-77

The game in Tachira was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Spartans (4-8) played at the court of eighth ranked Frontinos (4-8). Frontinos defeated Spartans 89-77 on Sunday. Frontinos made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 8 assists. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) helped adding 21 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Will Davis II (203-1992, college: UC Irvine) responded with 23 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Frontinos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Spartans and Centauros. Spartans lost fifth consecutive game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Spartans: W.Davis II 23+6reb+1ast, J.Perez 19+5reb+5ast, Y.Sifontes 8+5reb+1ast, H.Bompart 6+4reb, D.Brooks 5+1reb+4ast, N.Palacios 5
Frontinos: L.Bearden 27+4reb+8ast, C.Silva 21+3reb+4ast, R.Amardi 21+7reb+1ast, K.Kramer 9+15reb+1ast, S.Quiroz 5+2reb, J.Payen 4+1reb+2ast

Llaneros - Gladiadores 75-78

Eighth-ranked Llaneros (3-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Gladiadores (13-1) in Caracas. The visitors managed to secure only three-point victory 78-75. However their fans expected much easier game. Llaneros were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 24 points. Costa Rican-Belizean Charles Garcia (204-1988, college: Seattle) contributed with 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Dominican point guard Yerri Flores (188-1996, college: High School) answered with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) added 16 points in the effort for Llaneros. Llaneros' coach Oscar Silva rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gladiadores have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 13-1 record. Llaneros at the other side keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Gladiadores will play against Toros (#9) in Maracay in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Llaneros will play on the road against the league's second-placed Trotamundos in La Asuncion and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Wright 16+3reb, Y.Flores 14+8reb+4ast, E.Gimenez 10+3reb+2ast, R.Gallegos 9+3reb+7ast, Y.Llerena 8+6reb, C.Centeno 6
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 24+4reb, C.Garcia 15+9reb, P.Jackson 9+1reb+5ast, A.Perez 8+5reb+1ast, G.Vargas 8+6reb+10ast, J.Materan 6+3reb+1ast

Guaiqueries - Centauros 72-62

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Centauros' (4-8) road loss to sixth ranked Guaiqueries (6-5) 62-72 on Sunday. Guaiqueries forced 23 Centauros turnovers and outrebounded them 41-27 including a 17-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Alphonso Anderson (198, college: Pacific) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 6 rebounds. The former international guard Pedro Chourio (196-1990, agency: Pro Sports) helped adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side naturalized Dominican Kelvin Pena (193-1980, college: Southeastern) responded with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and Uruguayan-Italian point guard Lucas Capalbo (175-2000, college: Odessa JC) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Broncos and Brillantes. Loser Centauros dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. They share it with Spartans and Frontinos. Guaiqueries will meet at home Piratas (#4) in the next round. Centauros will play against the league's second-placed Marinos in Puerto La Cruz and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Centauros: K.Pena 22+2reb+6ast, L.Capalbo 12+5reb+2ast, J.Bracho 6, I.Thornton 5+6reb+3ast, D.Rondon 5+2reb, M.Zambrano 4+1ast
Guaiqueries: A.Anderson 19+6reb+1ast, P.Chourio 15+6reb+1ast, G.McGhee 9+8reb, E.Martinez 7+6reb+1ast, T.Cobos 7+5reb, J.Martinez 6+4reb

Marinos - Cocodrilos 71-74

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Marinos (9-4) in Puerto La Cruz on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by Cocodrilos (10-3) 74-71. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Marinos. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American-Dominican guard Omar Silverio (190-1998, college: WVU) fired 17 points and 5 assists for the winners. American Dylan Smith (196-1997, college: Arizona) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Smith is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 19 rebounds and Panamanian-Mexican center Joshua Ibarra (211-1995, college: HCU) added 22 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos keep a position of league leader, which they share with Trotamundos. Marinos at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost. Cocodrilos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Marinos will play at home against Centauros and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Marinos: J.Ibarra 22+5reb, T.Palmer 14+4reb+2ast, L.Bethelmy 13+19reb+1ast, J.Smith 10+7ast, M.Sierralta 5+5ast, L.Nolley II 3+2reb+3ast
Cocodrilos: O.Silverio 17+3reb+5ast, D.Smith 14+5reb+2ast, J.Guerrero 13+8reb, L.Montero 11+4reb+2ast, E.Hernandez 6, F.Hassell 5+2reb

Diablos - Heroes 94-100

No shocking result in a game in Caracas where fourth ranked Heroes (7-4) defeated 9th ranked Diablos (3-11) 100-94 on Sunday. Heroes made 36-of-42 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 4 assists. American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) helped adding 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Heroes' coach Ivan Garcia used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Dominican center Justin Satchell (203-1995, college: St.Leo) scored 17 points. Heroes moved-up to third place. Diablos lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Panteras.
Top scorers:
Diablos: R.Ferguson 27+6reb+4ast, J.Satchell 17+3reb+3ast, C.Nailor 15+5reb+1ast, J.Mejias 9+1reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 9+6reb+2ast, J.Vargas 9+2reb+1ast
Heroes: L.Almanza 31+4reb+4ast, A.Nation 23+9reb+5ast, N.De los Santos 13+4reb+3ast, K.Caraballo 8+3reb, E.Cappare 8+2reb+1ast, F.Thamba 7+1reb

Gaiteros - Panteras 67-72

There was a minor upset in Maracaibo where 6th ranked Gaiteros (6-7) were defeated by eighth ranked Panteras (4-9) 72-67 on Sunday. It was a great evening for the former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points. Evert Bernal (195-1996) helped adding 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. Panteras' coach Miguel Volcan used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) responded with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Panteras maintains eighth place with 4-9 record. Loser Gaiteros keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Panteras' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Heroes.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: M.Warren 22+8reb+5ast, C.Garcia 15+2reb+1ast, M.Butler 13+1reb+4ast, M.Rudas 8+4reb+1ast, Y.Quintero 6+4reb, V.Okouo 3+4reb
Panteras: W.Graterol 18+4reb, W.Gomez 15+2reb+1ast, E.Bernal 10+5reb+5ast, G.Williams 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Guerra 7+4reb+4ast, C.Raines 4+6reb+1ast