SPB Round 22 (Regular Season): Trotamundos lose to Brillantes

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Caracas between second ranked Trotamundos (11-4) and fifth ranked Brillantes (7-7) on Saturday night. Trotamundos were defeated by Brillantes in a tough game on the road 63-67. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Brillantes dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Trotamundos' 20. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 steals. American forward Glen Rice Jr. (198-1991, college: Georgia Tech) contributed with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-2000) replied with 20 points and 5 rebounds for Trotamundos. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes maintains fifth position with 7-7 record, which they share with Guaiqueries. Trotamundos at the other side keep the second place with four games lost. They share the position with Marinos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game for Heroes (9-6) which hosted in Caracas their close opponent Guaiqueries (7-7). Fourth ranked Heroes managed to get a 5-point victory 90-85. Naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Andre Nation chipped in 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international guard Pedro Chourio (196-1990, agency: Pro Sports) responded with 31 points and 4 steals. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Heroes moved-up to third place, which they share with Pioneros and Piratas. Guaiqueries at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Brillantes. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Diablos.
SPB top team - Cocodrilos (12-3) added another victory to their record on Friday. This time they beat sixth ranked Gaiteros (6-9) in Caracas 61-57. Luis Montero notched 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 15 points and 9 rebounds by Christian Eyenga did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 12-3 record. Gaiteros lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Frontinos were smashed by Spartans on the road 72-47. Toros lost to Broncos on its own court 87-94. Gaiteros unfortunately lost to Piratas in La Guaira 63-80.



Spartans - Frontinos 72-47

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Spartans (5-8) crushed their close opponent Frontinos (5-10) in Caracas 72-47 on Friday. Spartans forced 20 Frontinos turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Spartans made 7 blocks. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, agency: Pro Sports) notched 17 points to lead the effort and Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) supported him with 13 points and 6 steals. Even 9 points and 11 rebounds by Canadian Anthony Peacock (206-1999, college: MWSU) did not help to save the game for Frontinos. Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) added 12 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartans moved-up to sixth place. Loser Frontinos keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Llaneros.
Top scorers:
Spartans: Y.Sifontes 17+4reb+2ast, J.Perez 13+3reb+3ast, N.Palacios 13+3reb+2ast, J.Valdez 9+5reb+2ast, P.Jones III 8+6reb+2ast, W.Davis II 6+5reb+1ast
Frontinos: R.Amardi 12+3reb+1ast, M.Bolivar 10+5reb+1ast, A.Peacock 9+11reb, C.Silva 6+7reb+3ast, J.Figueroa 4+3reb, C.Vejar 3+1reb

Cocodrilos - Gaiteros 61-57

SPB top team - Cocodrilos (12-3) added another victory to their record on Friday. This time they beat sixth ranked Gaiteros (6-9) in Caracas 61-57. Cocodrilos forced 19 Gaiteros turnovers. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) notched 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) supported him with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Even 15 points and 9 rebounds by DR Congolese Christian Eyenga (198-1989) did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) added 15 points for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 12-3 record. Gaiteros lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: L.Montero 18+6reb+1ast, J.Guerrero 11+8reb+3ast, F.Pirela 9+5reb+2ast, A.Cisneros 8+7reb, E.Hernandez 5+2reb, O.Silverio 3+2reb+2ast
Gaiteros: M.Butler 15+3reb, C.Eyenga 15+9reb+1ast, B.Ramirez 7+3reb+2ast, C.Garcia 6+3reb+1ast, J.Diaz 5+2reb, V.Okouo 4+11reb

Brillantes - Trotamundos 67-63

The most important game in the last round took place in Caracas between second ranked Trotamundos (11-4) and fifth ranked Brillantes (7-7) on Saturday night. Trotamundos were defeated by Brillantes in a tough game on the road 63-67. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Brillantes dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Trotamundos' 20. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 steals. American forward Glen Rice Jr. (198-1991, college: Georgia Tech) contributed with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The former international power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-2000) replied with 20 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Tyree Crump (185-1997, college: Georgia, agency: BIG) added 12 points in the effort for Trotamundos. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes maintains fifth position with 7-7 record, which they share with Guaiqueries. Trotamundos at the other side keep the second place with four games lost. They share the position with Marinos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: R.Bautista 17+8reb+10ast, L.Palacios 15+5reb, G.Rice Jr. 11+9reb+4ast, J.Reese V 6+3reb+3ast, L.A. Hurtado Jr. 5+3reb, M.Letcher-Ellis 4+1reb
Trotamundos: F.Fuenmayor 20+5reb, T.Crump 12+4reb+1ast, D.Cubillan 11+1ast, C.James 6+8reb+1ast, S.Samuels 3+1reb+1ast, N.Colmenares 3+11reb+2ast

Toros - Broncos 87-94

Very expected game when 9th ranked Toros (2-12) lost to fourth ranked Broncos (8-6) in Maracay 87-94 on Saturday. Broncos made 17-of-17 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) notched 29 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) to lead the effort and the other American import guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) supported him with 22 points. Even a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds by American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) did not help to save the game for Toros. Swiss forward Michel-Ofik Nzege (203-1992, college: ECU) added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos maintains fourth position with 8-6 record. Toros lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Broncos: J.Williams 29+7reb+2ast, R.James 22+3reb+3ast, L.Duarte 16+4reb, T.Wilkerson 11+2reb+1ast, D.Arias 7+3reb+1ast, R.Roca 4+1ast
Toros: A.Spruill 26+10reb+3ast, M.Nzege 19+7reb+4ast, J.Vargas 13+5reb+1ast, A.Blanco 11+5reb+3ast, E.Tillman 8+6reb, E.Lezcano 5+2reb+7ast

Piratas - Gaiteros 80-63

Rather predictable result when third ranked Piratas (9-6) won against 6th ranked Gaiteros (6-9) in La Guaira 80-63 on Saturday. Piratas forced 19 Gaiteros turnovers. American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) notched 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and Dominican Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte, agency: BMS Sport Agency) supported him with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 17 points and 6 rebounds by American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. DR Congolese center Viny Okouo (214-1997) added 8 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Piratas maintains third position with 9-6 record having just three points less than leader Gladiadores, which they share with Pioneros and Heroes. Gaiteros lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Piratas: M.Watkins 20+9reb+1ast, J.Matos 13+8reb+4ast, J.Suero 12+1reb+3ast, A.Morillo 8+4reb+1ast, D.Hollis 8+4reb, E.Williams 8+3reb
Gaiteros: M.Butler 17+6reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 12+4reb, C.Garcia 10+3reb+2ast, V.Okouo 8+8reb, M.Rudas 8+4reb+3ast, J.Diaz 6+1reb

Heroes - Guaiqueries 90-85

An interesting game for Heroes (9-6) which hosted in Caracas their close opponent Guaiqueries (7-7). Fourth ranked Heroes managed to get a 5-point victory 90-85. Heroes made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Heroes especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. Naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Heroes players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international guard Pedro Chourio (196-1990, agency: Pro Sports) responded with 31 points and 4 steals and international Edgar Martinez (199-1997) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Heroes moved-up to third place, which they share with Pioneros and Piratas. Guaiqueries at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Brillantes. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Diablos.
Top scorers:
Heroes: L.Almanza 15+8reb+3ast, A.Nation 14+3reb+4ast, M.Trelles 12+2reb+4ast, N.De los Santos 11+3reb+3ast, M.McRae 9, K.Caraballo 7+2reb+1ast
Guaiqueries: P.Chourio 31+2reb+3ast, E.Martinez 14+5reb, A.Brocal 7, F.Corvalan 7+3reb+4ast, A.Anderson 6+3reb+2ast, J.Ascanio 6+9reb+1ast