SPB Round 32 (Regular Season): Brillantes defeat Llaneros in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Llaneros (5-14) gave a tough game to fifth ranked Brillantes (9-8) in Caracas on Monday. Brillantes managed to secure only one-point victory 70-69. However their fans expected easier game. Brillantes looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Tu Holloway (183-1989, college: Xavier) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international center Miguel Marriaga (205-1984) who added 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 27 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes maintains fifth position with 9-8 record. Llaneros at the other side keep the eighth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Panteras. Brillantes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Llaneros will play on the road against the league's second-placed Trotamundos (#2) in La Asuncion and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#1) and Heroes (#5). Cocodrilos (17-3) won against visiting Heroes (10-10) 96-92. The winners were led by American-Dominican guard Omar Silverio (190-1998, college: WVU) who scored that evening 18 points and 7 assists and Anyelo Cisneros supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds by forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-1988) did not help to save the game for Heroes. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-3 record. Heroes lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaiqueries (#3) in Porlamar in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Heroes will play at home against Centauros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Marinos (13-7) against fourth ranked Guaiqueries (12-7) on Monday night. Host Marinos were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Puerto La Cruz 73-82. The best player for the winners was Gendry Correa who scored 21 points (perfect from the field making all six shots). Edgaras Zelionis produced 18 points for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Marinos keep the second position with seven games lost. Guaiqueries will meet league's leader Cocodrilos in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Marinos will play against Panteras and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 32 Centauros lost to Gaiteros on the opponent's court 84-97.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 28 points and 4 assists by Isaac Thornton of Centauros.



Brillantes - Llaneros 70-69

Eighth-ranked Llaneros (5-14) gave a tough game to fifth ranked Brillantes (9-8) in Caracas on Monday. Brillantes managed to secure only one-point victory 70-69. However their fans expected easier game. Brillantes looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Tu Holloway (183-1989, college: Xavier) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international center Miguel Marriaga (205-1984) who added 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Brillantes players scored in double figures. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 27 points and 9 rebounds and French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) scored 8 points and 14 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes maintains fifth position with 9-8 record. Llaneros at the other side keep the eighth place with 14 games lost. They share the position with Panteras. Brillantes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Llaneros will play on the road against the league's second-placed Trotamundos (#2) in La Asuncion and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: D.Summers 14+2reb, T.Holloway 13+5reb+6ast, M.Marriaga 12+6reb+1ast, J.Reese V 12+1reb+4ast, M.Letcher-Ellis 9+3reb+1ast, V.Rudd 5+5reb+3ast
Llaneros: D.Wright 27+9reb+3ast, Y.Llerena 15+3reb, C.Centeno 10+6reb+3ast, L.Debaut 8+14reb+2ast, J.De Assis 3+1reb+1ast, V.Fernandez 3+6reb+6ast

Marinos - Guaiqueries 73-82

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Marinos (13-7) against fourth ranked Guaiqueries (12-7) on Monday night. Host Marinos were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Puerto La Cruz 73-82. Guaiqueries made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international Gendry Correa (190-1996) who scored 21 points (perfect from the field making all six shots). The former international point guard Jose Sojo (180-1996) chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. Lithuanian Edgaras Zelionis (207-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 18 points and American swingman Trayvon Palmer (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) added 7 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Marinos keep the second position with seven games lost. Guaiqueries will meet league's leader Cocodrilos in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Marinos will play against Panteras and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: G.Correa 21+1reb+2ast, F.Centeno 10+1reb+2ast, F.Corvalan 10+4reb+2ast, A.Anderson 10+4reb+2ast, J.Sojo 9+5reb+3ast, B.Walters 7+3reb+2ast
Marinos: E.Zelionis 18+3reb, M.Sierralta 11+2reb+1ast, L.Bethelmy 9+4reb+1ast, D.Lamb 8+1reb+1ast, J.Zapata 7+2reb, T.Palmer 7+9reb

Cocodrilos - Heroes 96-92

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#1) and Heroes (#5). Cocodrilos (17-3) won against visiting Heroes (10-10) 96-92. Cocodrilos players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. The winners were led by American-Dominican guard Omar Silverio (190-1998, college: WVU) who scored that evening 18 points and 7 assists and the former international forward Anyelo Cisneros (200-1997) supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds by forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-1988) did not help to save the game for Heroes. American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) added 18 points and 4 assists for the guests. Four Cocodrilos and five Heroes players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-3 record. Heroes lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaiqueries (#3) in Porlamar in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Heroes will play at home against Centauros and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: O.Silverio 18+1reb+7ast, A.Cisneros 18+6reb+2ast, J.Guerrero 16+8reb+1ast, F.Pirela 16+5reb+4ast, J.Hamilton 11+3reb+2ast, L.Montero 7+6reb+8ast
Heroes: K.Caraballo 22+13reb+2ast, A.Nation 18+2reb+4ast, E.Cappare 12+1reb+1ast, L.Almanza 10+6reb+2ast, N.De los Santos 10+2reb+9ast, F.Thamba 6+4reb+3ast

Gaiteros - Centauros 97-84

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Centauros' (6-14) road loss to sixth ranked Gaiteros (9-9) 84-97 on Tuesday. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Centauros' 32 and made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) who scored 15 points. The other American import guard Remy Abell (193-1992, college: Xavier) chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds. Four Gaiteros players scored in double figures. American guard Isaac Thornton (194-1991, college: Fairmont St.) produced 28 points and 4 assists and Spanish forward Federico Ucles (204-1993, agency: Promo Sport ID) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 9-9 record. Loser Centauros keep the seventh place with 14 games lost. Gaiteros will meet at home Diablos (#9) in the next round. Centauros will play against Heroes in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: M.Butler 15+1reb+3ast, R.Rada 15+4reb, R.Abell 13+5reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 12+3reb, K.Nino 11+3reb+2ast, V.Okouo 8+4reb+1ast
Centauros: I.Thornton 28+3reb+4ast, F.Ucles 15+5reb+2ast, L.Lopez 11+8reb+2ast, J.Martinez 9+7reb+2ast, E.Hernandez 9+2reb+2ast, K.Pena 5+1reb+3ast