SPB Round 21 (Regular Season): Marinos defeat Piratas in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 21 in the SPB took place in Puerto La Cruz. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Piratas (8-6) to second ranked Marinos (11-4) 74-71 in the game for the second place. Marinos looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American swingman Trayvon Palmer (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) stepped up and scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Dominican Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Piratas' coach Melvyn Lopez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Marinos maintains second place with 11-4 record having just one point less than leader Gladiadores. Piratas at the other side keep the third position with six games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Piratas will play at home against Gaiteros and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#1) and Heroes (#4). Cocodrilos (11-3) crushed visiting Heroes (7-6) by 17 points 82-65. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) nailed 15 points and 7 assists for the winning side and Anyelo Cisneros accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds. DR Congolese power forward Florent Thamba (208-1999, college: Baylor) came up with 15 points for Heroes in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-3 record, which they share with Trotamundos. Heroes at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries and Broncos. Cocodrilos will play against Gaiteros (#6) in Maracaibo in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Heroes will play at home against Guaiqueries and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Llaneros (#8). Llaneros were defeated at home 74-79 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was Tim Bond who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Yerri Flores who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Pioneros maintains third place with 9-6 record having just one point less than leader Gladiadores. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Diablos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 21 Frontinos won against Broncos on the opponent's court 88-80. Centauros unfortunately lost to Guaiqueries in a home game 64-82.



Broncos - Frontinos 80-88

There was a minor upset in Caracas where 4th placed Broncos (7-6) were defeated by sixth ranked Frontinos (5-8) 88-80 on Wednesday. Frontinos made 24-of-26 free shots (92.3 percent) during the game. Frontinos outrebounded Broncos 43-31 including 30 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) who scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists (went 14 for 14 at the free throw line !!!). The former international swingman Cesar Silva (190-1981) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Frontinos players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) who recorded 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Frontinos maintains sixth place with 5-8 record. Loser Broncos keep the fourth position with six games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries and Heroes. Frontinos will meet Spartans (#7) in the next round. Broncos will play against Toros in Maracay and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Broncos: J.Williams 21+6reb+4ast, T.Wilkerson 19+1reb, L.Duarte 12+8reb+1ast, J.Araujo 9+7reb, R.James 9+1reb+4ast, H.Cazorla 5+1reb+2ast
Frontinos: L.Bearden 22+8reb+7ast, C.Silva 18+10reb+4ast, R.Amardi 18+4reb, K.Kramer 11+12reb, J.Payen 8+2reb+4ast, A.Peacock 4+3reb

Cocodrilos - Heroes 82-65

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#1) and Heroes (#4). Cocodrilos (11-3) crushed visiting Heroes (7-6) by 17 points 82-65. Cocodrilos outrebounded Heroes 40-24 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) nailed 15 points and 7 assists for the winning side and the former international forward Anyelo Cisneros (200-1997) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds. DR Congolese power forward Florent Thamba (208-1999, college: Baylor) came up with 15 points and American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) added 17 points respectively for Heroes in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-3 record, which they share with Trotamundos. Heroes at the other side keep the fourth position with six games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries and Broncos. Cocodrilos will play against Gaiteros (#6) in Maracaibo in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Heroes will play at home against Guaiqueries and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Heroes: A.Nation 17+1reb, F.Thamba 15+4reb+1ast, L.Almanza 8+2reb+1ast, G.Curvelo 6+6reb+3ast, B.Gonzalez 5+1ast, E.Cappare 5+2reb
Cocodrilos: A.Cisneros 16+6reb+2ast, L.Montero 15+4reb+7ast, J.Guerrero 10+7reb+1ast, E.Hernandez 7+6reb+2ast, L.Betancourt 7+3reb+5ast, F.Pirela 7+2reb+1ast

Llaneros - Pioneros 74-79

Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Llaneros (#8). Llaneros were defeated at home 74-79 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Pioneros dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Llaneros' 28. The best player for the winners was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. American-Dominican Fausto Pichardo (203-1995, college: Alabama St., agency: BMS Sport Agency) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Pioneros players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican point guard Yerri Flores (188-1996, college: High School) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international forward Elder Gimenez (197-1991) added 14 points respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Pioneros maintains third place with 9-6 record having just one point less than leader Gladiadores. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Diablos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: Y.Flores 25+11reb+5ast, E.Gimenez 14+4reb+3ast, Y.Llerena 11+1reb+2ast, D.Wright 8+1reb+1ast, J.De Assis 6+4reb+2ast, L.Debaut 6+8reb+1ast
Pioneros: T.Bond 22+8reb+2ast, T.Mathias 14+6reb, F.Pichardo 14+5reb+1ast, J.Diaz 10+2reb+3ast, S.Tineo 8+2reb, E.Centeno 6+9reb+1ast

Centauros - Guaiqueries 64-82

Rather predictable result in Margarita where fifth ranked Guaiqueries (7-6) defeated 8th ranked Centauros (4-10) 82-64 on Thursday. Guaiqueries shot 65.4 percent from the field. Guaiqueries outrebounded Centauros 36-23 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guaiqueries shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. The best player for the winners was American forward Alphonso Anderson (198, college: Pacific) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all five shots). The former international guard Pedro Chourio (196-1990, agency: Pro Sports) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Uruguayan-Italian point guard Lucas Capalbo (175-2000, college: Odessa JC) who recorded 18 points and guard Douglas Rondon (175-1995) added 13 points respectively. 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 Heroes. Centauros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with ten games lost. Guaiqueries will meet Heroes (#5) in the next round. Centauros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Centauros: L.Capalbo 18+1reb+2ast, D.Rondon 13+2reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 9+6reb, L.Lopez 5+5reb+1ast, I.Thornton 4+3reb+3ast, J.Bracho 3+2reb+2ast
Guaiqueries: A.Anderson 19+10reb+2ast, P.Chourio 18+5reb+4ast, J.Martinez 12+7reb+1ast, J.Sojo 8+3reb+3ast, F.Corvalan 7+2ast, T.Cobos 6+3reb

Marinos - Piratas 74-71

The most exciting game of round 21 in the SPB took place in Puerto La Cruz. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Piratas (8-6) to second ranked Marinos (11-4) 74-71 in the game for the second place. Marinos looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American swingman Trayvon Palmer (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) stepped up and scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Marinos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Dominican Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte, agency: BMS Sport Agency) with 24 points and 7 rebounds and Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) scored 11 points and 4 assists. Piratas' coach Melvyn Lopez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Marinos maintains second place with 11-4 record having just one point less than leader Gladiadores. Piratas at the other side keep the third position with six games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Piratas will play at home against Gaiteros and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Piratas: J.Matos 24+7reb+1ast, J.Suero 11+3reb+4ast, J.Ramos 10+1reb, A.Morillo 8+1reb+3ast, E.Williams 8+6reb, D.Hollis 4+3reb
Marinos: J.Smith 18+1reb+1ast, T.Palmer 11+8reb+5ast, L.Bethelmy 11+7reb+4ast, M.Sierralta 10+4reb+3ast, E.Zelionis 10+5reb+2ast, O.Caraballo 7+2reb+1ast