SPB Round 33 (Regular Season): Guaiqueries defeat Cocodrilos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (17-4) in Caracas on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Guaiqueries (13-7) 79-71. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Guaiqueries made 8 blocks. It was a good game for American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import center Brandon Walters (208-1995, college: MTSU) contributed with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for Cocodrilos. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guaiqueries have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Marinos. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Guaiqueries is looking forward to face Piratas (#4) in La Guaira in the next round. Cocodrilos will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Puerto La Cruz. Eighth ranked Panteras (5-14) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-best Marinos (13-7) 73-70 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. The former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) stepped up and scored 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Yeferson Guerra chipped in 15 points. The best for the losing side was American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) with 19 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras maintains eighth place with 5-14 record, which they share with Llaneros. Marinos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Caracas between Spartans and Frontinos. Sixth ranked Spartans (9-9) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Frontinos (8-13). Spartans managed to escape with a 3-point win 75-72 in the game for the sixth place. Jassel Perez nailed 24 points for the winning side. Lamonte Bearden came up with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals for Frontinos in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Spartans maintains sixth place with 9-9 record, which they share with Gaiteros. Loser Frontinos keep the seventh position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 33: Llaneros were beaten by Trotamundos on the road 83-74. Heroes destroyed Centauros on its own court 106-68. Diablos managed to outperform Gaiteros in Caracas 77-69.
The most impressive performance of 33th round was 20 points by Jesus Rodriguez of Diablos.



Spartans - Frontinos 75-72

A very close game took place in Caracas between Spartans and Frontinos. Sixth ranked Spartans (9-9) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Frontinos (8-13). Spartans managed to escape with a 3-point win 75-72 in the game for the sixth place. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) nailed 24 points for the winning side and American swingman Jalen Jones (201-1993, college: Texas A&M) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) came up with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals and the other American import center Kelby Kramer (213-1999, college: MSU) added 10 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for Frontinos in the defeat. Four Frontinos players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Spartans maintains sixth place with 9-9 record, which they share with Gaiteros. Loser Frontinos keep the seventh position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Frontinos: L.Bearden 16+4reb+6ast, M.Henry 15+1reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 13+2reb+3ast, K.Kramer 10+11reb+1ast, R.Amardi 9+3reb, S.Quiroz 3+2reb+1ast
Spartans: J.Perez 24+2reb+2ast, J.Jones 14+9reb+3ast, K.Hasbrouck 11+1ast, J.Valdez 6+3reb+1ast, W.Davis II 6+5reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 6+3reb

Cocodrilos - Guaiqueries 71-79

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (17-4) in Caracas on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Guaiqueries (13-7) 79-71. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Guaiqueries made 8 blocks. It was a good game for American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import center Brandon Walters (208-1995, college: MTSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 17 points in the effort for Cocodrilos. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guaiqueries have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Marinos. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Guaiqueries is looking forward to face Piratas (#4) in La Guaira in the next round. Cocodrilos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: L.Montero 19+11reb+2ast, J.Guerrero 17+3reb+1ast, O.Silverio 15+2reb+3ast, F.Pirela 7+1reb+2ast, F.Hassell 5+4reb, J.Hamilton 3+7reb+3ast
Guaiqueries: A.Anderson 17+7reb+2ast, B.Walters 11+10reb+1ast, E.Martinez 10+5reb, F.Corvalan 9+1reb+1ast, J.Sojo 8+3reb+3ast, G.McGhee 8+6reb

Trotamundos - Llaneros 83-74

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Trotamundos (13-6) beat 8th ranked Llaneros (5-14) in La Asuncion 83-74 on Thursday. Trotamundos looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) nailed 23 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and the former international center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, college: Campbellsville, agency: Pro Sports) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Francisco Marquez (190-1993) came up with 22 points and French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Llaneros in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos maintains second place with 13-6 record having six points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Llaneros keep the eighth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Panteras. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: F.Marquez 22+2ast, Y.Llerena 16+2reb, L.Debaut 13+10reb+1ast, D.Wright 9+5reb+4ast, C.Centeno 6+1reb+2ast, J.Martinez 3+1reb+1ast
Trotamundos: J.Wilson 23+5reb, N.Colmenares 18+8reb+2ast, C.James 12+4reb+8ast, D.Davis 8+1reb+3ast, T.Crump 8+3reb+2ast, J.Zamora 6+6reb+4ast

Marinos - Panteras 70-73

Important game to mention about took place in Puerto La Cruz. Eighth ranked Panteras (5-14) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-best Marinos (13-7) 73-70 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. The former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) stepped up and scored 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and the former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) chipped in 15 points. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) with 19 points and 6 assists and Lithuanian Edgaras Zelionis (207-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 8 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras maintains eighth place with 5-14 record, which they share with Llaneros. Marinos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Marinos: S.Ponds 19+2reb+6ast, C.Lemus 16+3reb+2ast, D.Lamb 11+3reb+2ast, E.Zelionis 8+13reb+2ast, O.Caraballo 8+3reb, M.Sierralta 6+1reb+1ast
Panteras: Y.Guerra 15+4reb+1ast, W.Graterol 12+7reb+1ast, W.Gomez 11+7reb, G.Williams 11+2reb+1ast, E.Bernal 8+5reb+1ast, C.Raines 7+4reb+1ast

Heroes - Centauros 106-68

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Centauros (6-14) were smashed by fifth ranked Heroes (10-10) in Caracas 106-68 on Thursday. Heroes shot 67.2 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 63.3 percentage. Heroes looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Centauros' players. Uruguayan guard Martin Trelles (187-1996) nailed 18 points and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winning side and naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) accounted for 20 points. Four Heroes players scored in double figures. Naturalized Dominican Kelvin Pena (193-1980, college: Southeastern) came up with 11 points and the former international forward Lenin Lopez (198-1991) added 3 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Centauros in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Heroes maintains fifth place with 10-10 record. Loser Centauros keep the seventh position with 14 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Centauros: K.Pena 11+2reb, F.Ucles 11+1reb, L.Capalbo 8+3ast, D.Ramirez 7+2reb+1ast, D.Rondon 6+1reb, J.Bracho 6+2reb+1ast
Heroes: L.Almanza 20+2reb+2ast, M.Trelles 18+3reb+5ast, E.Cappare 15+4reb+3ast, B.Gonzalez 14+2reb+1ast, M.McRae 11+1reb+1ast, J.Gonzalez 8+1reb+1ast

Gaiteros - Diablos 69-77

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Diablos (3-15) won against 6th ranked Gaiteros (9-9) in Maracaibo 77-69 on Thursday. Diablos dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Gaiteros' 26. Diablos looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Gaiteros' players. American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) nailed 11 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the winning side and forward Jesus Rodriguez (200-1993) accounted for 20 points (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) came up with 17 points and the former international swingman Cesar Garcia (193-1990) added 14 points respectively for Gaiteros in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Diablos maintains ninth place with 3-15 record. Loser Gaiteros keep the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Spartans. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: M.Butler 17+2reb, C.Garcia 14+3reb+1ast, M.Warren 12+5reb+1ast, C.Eyenga 6+6reb+3ast, V.Okouo 6+5reb, M.Rudas 3+3reb+2ast
Diablos: J.Rodriguez 20+4reb+1ast, A.Arias 13+11reb, J.Mejias 12+1reb+1ast, R.Ferguson 11+9reb+9ast, J.Satchell 8+9reb+3ast, E.Gonzalez 8+2reb+10ast