SPB Round 34 (Regular Season): Gladiadores beat Spartans by two after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourth-ranked Spartans (10-10) were very close to win a game against first ranked Gladiadores (19-2) in Caracas on Friday. Gladiadores managed to secure only two-point victory 87-85. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Spartans. Gladiadores shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 65.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 assists. American forward Javan Johnson (198-1999, college: DePaul) contributed with 21 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, agency: Pro Sports) replied with 15 points and 4 assists for Spartans. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Spartans at the other side dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Gaiteros and Broncos. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Broncos.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Brillantes (#4) and Pioneros (#3). Brillantes (11-9) won against visiting Pioneros (11-10) 80-73. American Victor Rudd (206-1991, college: S.Florida) scored 13 points and 8 assists (made all of his eight free throws) to lead the charge for the winners and Durrell Summers chipped in 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American Will Daniels (202-1986, college: URI) responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes moved-up to third place. Pioneros at the other side dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game for Guaiqueries (15-7) which played road game in La Guaira against 4th ranked Piratas (11-8). Second ranked Guaiqueries managed to get a 13-point victory 76-63. Facundo Corvalan notched 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) by Damian Hollis did not help to save the game for Piratas. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Guaiqueries have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-7 record having just three points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Piratas dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Guaiqueries will meet at home Panteras (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Piratas will have a break next round.




Piratas - Guaiqueries 63-76

An interesting game for Guaiqueries (15-7) which played road game in La Guaira against 4th ranked Piratas (11-8). Second ranked Guaiqueries managed to get a 13-point victory 76-63. Guaiqueries outrebounded Piratas 43-31 including a 38-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Argentinian-Italian point guard Facundo Corvalan (190-1998) notched 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and American center Brandon Walters (208-1995, college: MTSU) supported him with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) by American-Hungarian forward Damian Hollis (203-1988, college: GWU) did not help to save the game for Piratas. Swingman Jesus Ramos (187-1997) added 14 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Guaiqueries have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 15-7 record having just three points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Piratas dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Guaiqueries will meet at home Panteras (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Piratas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Piratas: D.Hollis 24+10reb+1ast, J.Ramos 14+3reb, J.Matos 9+3reb+1ast, J.Suero 7+4reb+3ast, M.Watkins 5+5reb+2ast, A.Amundaray 4+3reb
Guaiqueries: F.Corvalan 14+5reb+5ast, B.Walters 12+8reb+3ast, E.Martinez 11+4reb+2ast, G.McGhee 11+6reb, T.Cobos 8+4reb, G.Correa 8+7reb+4ast

Brillantes - Pioneros 80-73

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Brillantes (#4) and Pioneros (#3). Brillantes (11-9) won against visiting Pioneros (11-10) 80-73. Brillantes made 23-of-27 charity shots (85.2 percent) during the game. American Victor Rudd (206-1991, college: S.Florida) scored 13 points and 8 assists (made all of his eight free throws) to lead the charge for the winners and American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) chipped in 21 points during the contest. Four Brillantes players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Will Daniels (202-1986, college: URI) responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) scored 9 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes moved-up to third place. Pioneros at the other side dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: W.Daniels 17+6reb+2ast, A.Castillo 14+1reb, E.Centeno 13+7reb, T.Bond 9+6reb+7ast, T.Mathias 9+8reb+2ast, F.Pichardo 6+4reb+3ast
Brillantes: D.Summers 21+3reb, T.Holloway 17+3reb+3ast, V.Rudd 13+4reb+8ast, J.Reese V 12+3reb+3ast, M.Marriaga 9+9reb, L.Germany 4+2reb

Gladiadores - Spartans 87-85

Fourth-ranked Spartans (10-10) were very close to win a game against first ranked Gladiadores (19-2) in Caracas on Friday. Gladiadores managed to secure only two-point victory 87-85. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Spartans. Gladiadores shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 65.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 assists. American forward Javan Johnson (198-1999, college: DePaul) contributed with 21 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995, agency: Pro Sports) replied with 15 points and 4 assists and American swingman Jalen Jones (201-1993, college: Texas A&M) added 14 points in the effort for Spartans. Five Gladiadores and four Spartans players scored in double figures. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Spartans at the other side dropped to the fifth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Gaiteros and Broncos. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Broncos.
Top scorers:
Spartans: Y.Sifontes 15+3reb+4ast, J.Jones 14+4reb+3ast, J.Perez 14+5reb+2ast, W.Davis II 11+2reb, J.Rodriguez 11+4reb+2ast, J.Valdez 9+4reb+3ast
Gladiadores: J.Johnson 21+2reb+2ast, G.Vargas 15+2reb+12ast, M.Carrera 13+7reb+1ast, A.Perez 10+7reb+2ast, P.Jackson 10+2reb+4ast, M.Dime 8+3reb