SPB Round 35 (Regular Season): Gladiadores beat Broncos in a derby game

The Regular Season in SPB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 7 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Broncos (#5). Gladiadores (18-2) crushed visiting Broncos (10-10) by 18 points 88-70. Gladiadores dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Broncos' 30. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. American forward Javan Johnson (198-1999, college: DePaul) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) produced 22 points for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 18-2 record. Broncos at the other side keep the fifth position with ten games lost. They share it with Gaiteros. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.
Leader Cocodrilos delivered the eighteenth victory. This time they crushed 8th ranked Centauros (6-16) 101-74 in Margarita. The former international forward Ernesto Hernandez (193-1998) orchestrated the victory by scoring 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Luis Montero contributed with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Douglas Rondon (175-1995) answered with 18 points for Centauros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos maintains first place with 18-4 record. Centauros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 16 games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Marinos (#3) in Puerto La Cruz in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Centauros will have a break next round.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Heroes (#4) and Diablos (#9). Heroes (12-11) won against visiting Diablos (4-16) 96-84. It was a great evening for Kelvin Caraballo who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds. Romeao Ferguson responded with 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Heroes maintains fourth place with 12-11 record. Loser Diablos keep the ninth position with 16 games lost. Heroes will meet at home Gaiteros (#6) in the next round. Diablos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Panteras.

Other games of round 35 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Toros defeated Frontinos in Maracay 81-75. Heroes were beaten by Gaiteros at home 83-87. Panteras lost to Guaiqueries on the opponent's court 63-69.



Frontinos - Toros 75-81

There was a minor upset in Tachira where 7th ranked Frontinos (8-14) were defeated by ninth ranked Toros (3-14) 81-75 on Saturday. It was a great evening for the former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982, agency: Pro Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 7 rebounds. American center Elijah Tillman (203-1994, college: GBC) helped adding 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. American center Kelby Kramer (213-1999, college: MSU) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds and the other American import guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Five Toros and four Frontinos players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Toros maintains ninth place with 3-14 record. Frontinos lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 14 games lost. Toros will meet higher ranked Spartans (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Frontinos will play against Brillantes in Caracas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toros: J.Vargas 24+7reb+1ast, A.Blanco 14+6reb+3ast, L.Irazabal Jr. 13+7reb+1ast, J.Vargas 11+4reb+2ast, E.Tillman 11+12reb+4ast, B.Guidi 4+6reb+1ast
Frontinos: L.Bearden 15+5reb+3ast, R.Delph 14+7reb+2ast, C.Silva 11+7reb+2ast, K.Kramer 10+15reb, M.Henry 8+2reb+3ast, R.Amardi 7+2reb+1ast

Heroes - Diablos 96-84

Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Heroes (#4) and Diablos (#9). Heroes (12-11) won against visiting Diablos (4-16) 96-84. Heroes made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Heroes outrebounded Diablos 32-21 including 22 on the defensive glass. Heroes looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Diablos' players. It was a great evening for forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds. American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) helped adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) responded with 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Juan Mejias (184-1995) scored 14 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Heroes maintains fourth place with 12-11 record. Loser Diablos keep the ninth position with 16 games lost. Heroes will meet at home Gaiteros (#6) in the next round. Diablos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Panteras.
Top scorers:
Heroes: K.Caraballo 17+9reb+2ast, A.Nation 15+6reb+3ast, E.Cappare 12+3reb+2ast, L.Almanza 12+1reb+3ast, N.De los Santos 10+1reb+4ast, F.Thamba 7+3reb+2ast
Diablos: R.Ferguson 32+6reb+4ast, J.Mejias 14+1reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 13+3reb, E.Gonzalez 11+2reb+1ast, A.Arias 10+5reb, J.Vargas 4+1ast

Gladiadores - Broncos 88-70

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Broncos (#5). Gladiadores (18-2) crushed visiting Broncos (10-10) by 18 points 88-70. Gladiadores dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Broncos' 30. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. American forward Javan Johnson (198-1999, college: DePaul) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) produced 22 points and Spanish-Dominican power forward Jhonatan Araujo (206-1996, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 13 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 18-2 record. Broncos at the other side keep the fifth position with ten games lost. They share it with Gaiteros. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: J.Johnson 19+6reb+2ast, M.Carrera 19+12reb+3ast, P.Jackson 14+5reb+4ast, G.Vargas 9+2reb+10ast, J.Romero 9+3reb+1ast, A.Perez 8+3reb
Broncos: J.Williams 22+4reb, T.Wilkerson 15+6reb+1ast, J.Araujo 13+11reb, R.Roca 8+2reb, L.Duarte 4+3reb+1ast, R.James 3+2reb

Heroes - Gaiteros 83-87

There was a small surprise in Caracas where sixth ranked Gaiteros (10-10) defeated 4th placed Heroes (12-11) 87-83 on Sunday. It was a great evening for DR Congolese Christian Eyenga (198-1989) who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points and 6 rebounds. The former international swingman Cesar Garcia (193-1990) helped adding 13 points. Naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) responded with 23 points and 9 rebounds and American Andre Nation (196-1993, college: JMU) scored 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Gaiteros and four Heroes players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Gaiteros moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Broncos. Loser Heroes keep the fourth position with 11 games lost. Gaiteros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Maracaibo .
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: C.Eyenga 13+6reb+3ast, C.Garcia 13+3reb+1ast, M.Butler 13+2reb+1ast, R.Abell 13+1reb+1ast, V.Okouo 12+4reb, K.Nino 6+3reb+1ast
Heroes: L.Almanza 23+9reb, A.Nation 17+3reb+3ast, E.Cappare 13+3reb+1ast, N.De los Santos 11+4reb+4ast, K.Caraballo 5+2reb+1ast, E.Medina 4+3reb

Guaiqueries - Panteras 69-63

Very expected game in Porlamar where 7th ranked Panteras (6-15) were defeated by second ranked Guaiqueries (15-7) 69-63 on Sunday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Guaiqueries made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds. International Edgar Martinez (199-1997) helped adding 10 points and 7 rebounds. Guaiqueries' coach Yonaicker Ecker used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to get some rest. American guard Gerald Williams (190-1991, college: La Sierra) responded with 17 points and 5 assists and the other American import forward Cadarian Raines (205-1990, college: Virginia Tech, agency: BIG) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Guaiqueries have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain second place with 15-7 record having just three points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Panteras keep the seventh position with 15 games lost. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras' 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:
Guaiqueries: A.Anderson 26+5reb+2ast, E.Martinez 10+7reb+1ast, G.Correa 9+2reb+1ast, F.Corvalan 8+3reb+2ast, G.McGhee 6+3reb, F.Centeno 5+2reb
Panteras: G.Williams 17+3reb+5ast, C.Raines 14+5reb, W.Graterol 10+5reb+1ast, J.Coakley 8+4reb, W.Gomez 7+6reb, Y.Guerra 3+5reb+2ast

Centauros - Cocodrilos 74-101

Leader Cocodrilos delivered the eighteenth victory. This time they crushed 8th ranked Centauros (6-16) 101-74 in Margarita. Cocodrilos dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Centauros' 26. They outrebounded Centauros 46-19 including a 36-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Cocodrilos players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Centauros' players. The former international forward Ernesto Hernandez (193-1998) orchestrated the victory by scoring 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) contributed with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Guard Douglas Rondon (175-1995) answered with 18 points and Spanish forward Federico Ucles (204-1993, agency: Promo Sport ID) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Centauros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos maintains first place with 18-4 record. Centauros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 16 games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Marinos (#3) in Puerto La Cruz in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Centauros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: J.Hamilton 14+6reb+2ast, F.Pirela 13+2reb, E.Hernandez 12+8reb+4ast, E.Thompson 10+7reb+1ast, L.Montero 10+8reb+5ast, J.Gomez 9+2reb+1ast
Centauros: D.Rondon 18+3ast, J.Bracho 17, F.Ucles 12+5reb+1ast, D.Ramirez 7+5reb+1ast, L.Capalbo 6, J.Pinero 5+1reb