SPB Round 31 (Regular Season): Broncos edge Pioneros by one point

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 31 in the SPB took place in Caracas. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Pioneros (11-10) to fifth ranked Broncos (10-10) 88-87 on Monday evening. American forward Tyler Wilkerson (203-1988, college: Marshall) fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Broncos' coach Nestor Salazar used entire bench in such tough game. American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) produced 23 points for lost side. Broncos maintains fifth place with 10-10 record, which they share with Gaiteros and Spartans. 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.
Important game to mention about took place in La Guaira. Fourth ranked Piratas (11-8) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging their close opponent Heroes (12-11) 79-77 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Jhery Matos contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Swingman Emilio Cappare (199-1990) answered with 23 points for Heroes. Heroes' coach Ivan Garcia tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Piratas went down to fifth position due to points difference. Heroes at the other side keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
A very close game took place in Margarita between Centauros and Panteras. Eighth ranked Centauros (6-16) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Panteras (6-15). Centauros managed to escape with a 3-point win 72-69 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for Federico Ucles who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side Gerald Williams responded with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Centauros maintains eighth place with 6-16 record. Loser Panteras keep the seventh position with 15 games lost. Centauros will meet higher ranked Gaiteros (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Panteras will have a break next round.

Other games of round 31 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Diablos were crushed by Cocodrilos in Caracas 102-71. Gladiadores smashed Frontinos at home 93-61. Toros lost to Trotamundos on the opponent's court 80-93.
The best stats of 31th round was 22 points and 9 rebounds by Nestor Colmenares of Trotamundos.



Centauros - Panteras 72-69

A very close game took place in Margarita between Centauros and Panteras. Eighth ranked Centauros (6-16) got a very close home victory over 7th ranked Panteras (6-15). Centauros managed to escape with a 3-point win 72-69 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for Spanish forward Federico Ucles (204-1993, agency: Promo Sport ID) who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points and 7 rebounds. Guard Douglas Rondon (175-1995) helped adding 11 points and 4 assists. At the losing side American guard Gerald Williams (190-1991, college: La Sierra) responded with 14 points and 6 rebounds and guard Wilkerman Gomez (190-2001) scored 11 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Centauros maintains eighth place with 6-16 record. Loser Panteras keep the seventh position with 15 games lost. Centauros will meet higher ranked Gaiteros (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Centauros: L.Capalbo 13+1reb, F.Ucles 13+7reb+2ast, D.Rondon 11+2reb+4ast, J.Bracho 10+2reb+1ast, E.Hernandez 9+3reb+1ast, J.Martinez 8+7reb
Panteras: G.Williams 14+6reb, J.Coakley 12+2reb, W.Gomez 11+2reb+1ast, W.Graterol 8+3reb+3ast, Y.Guerra 8+4reb, E.Bernal 6+2reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Diablos 102-71

There was no surprise in Caracas where 9th ranked Diablos (4-16) were crushed by first ranked Cocodrilos (18-4) 102-71 on Saturday. Cocodrilos dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Diablos' 40. Cocodrilos forced 20 Diablos turnovers and outrebounded them 47-34 including a 39-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Cocodrilos looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Cocodrilos made 8 blocks. It was a great evening for Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) who led his team to a victory scoring 7 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international forward Ernesto Hernandez (193-1998) helped adding 17 points. At the losing side American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds and forward Javier Vargas (197-1998) scored 10 points and 6 rebounds. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. 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. Loser Diablos keep the ninth position with 16 games lost. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Heroes.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: E.Hernandez 17+4reb+1ast, F.Hassell 17+4reb, L.Betancourt 13+5reb+2ast, J.Guerrero 13+1reb, A.Cisneros 9+2reb+1ast, L.Montero 7+13reb+6ast
Diablos: R.Ferguson 20+6reb+1ast, J.Mejias 12+2ast, J.Vargas 10+6reb+2ast, C.Naylor 10+7reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 5+3reb+4ast, A.Arias 4+2reb

Piratas - Heroes 79-77

Important game to mention about took place in La Guaira. Fourth ranked Piratas (11-8) saved a 2-point derby victory at home edging their close opponent Heroes (12-11) 79-77 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. Piratas dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Heroes' 26. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Dominican Jhery Matos (196-1996, college: Charlotte, agency: BMS Sport Agency) contributed with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Swingman Emilio Cappare (199-1990) answered with 23 points and naturalized Colombian Luis Almanza (196-1991) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Heroes. Heroes' coach Ivan Garcia tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Despite that victory Piratas went down to fifth position due to points difference. Heroes at the other side keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Piratas: M.Watkins 23+12reb, J.Ramos 16+2reb+3ast, J.Matos 12+6reb+8ast, D.Hollis 8+4reb+3ast, A.Amundaray 8+1reb+1ast, J.Suero 7+3reb+2ast
Heroes: E.Cappare 23+3reb, L.Almanza 16+5reb, K.Caraballo 11+2reb+2ast, A.Nation 7+2reb+1ast, G.Curvelo 5+1reb, M.Trelles 3+2reb+5ast

Gladiadores - Frontinos 93-61

No shocking result in a game in Caracas where first ranked Gladiadores (19-2) smashed 7th ranked Frontinos (8-15) 93-61 on Sunday. Gladiadores outrebounded Frontinos 48-32 including 16 on the offensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Gladiadores made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for the former international forward Anthony Perez (205-1993, college: Ole Miss) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Paul Jackson (188-1996, college: EMU, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) helped adding 28 points. Jackson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American guard Michael Henry (198-1995, college: Buffalo St., agency: Haylett Sports) responded with 15 points and the former international center Miguel Bolivar (205-1992) scored 13 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gladiadores have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-2 record. Frontinos lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: P.Jackson 28+3reb+1ast, A.Perez 22+11reb+4ast, J.Johnson 13+4reb+2ast, C.Garcia 8+6reb+1ast, G.Vargas 7+3reb+8ast, J.Romero 4+8reb+1ast
Frontinos: M.Henry 15+4reb+1ast, M.Bolivar 13+4reb, L.Bearden 9+2reb+3ast, K.Kramer 8+5reb, A.Peacock 7+6reb+1ast, C.Silva 3+2reb+2ast

Broncos - Pioneros 88-87

The most exciting game of round 31 in the SPB took place in Caracas. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Pioneros (11-10) to fifth ranked Broncos (10-10) 88-87 on Monday evening. American forward Tyler Wilkerson (203-1988, college: Marshall) fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Broncos' coach Nestor Salazar used entire bench in such tough game. American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) produced 23 points and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) added 19 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Broncos maintains fifth place with 10-10 record, which they share with Gaiteros and Spartans. 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:
Broncos: J.Williams 23+5reb+2ast, T.Wilkerson 22+10reb, R.James 16+2reb+3ast, L.Duarte 13+7reb+10ast, R.Roca 9+3reb+1ast, J.Araujo 3+4reb+1ast
Pioneros: T.Bond 23+3reb+3ast, A.Castillo 19+8reb+1ast, T.Mathias 11+4reb+1ast, W.Daniels 11+2reb, F.Pichardo 9+12reb+1ast, S.Tineo 6+1reb+2ast

Trotamundos - Toros 93-80

Very expected game in La Asuncion where 9th ranked Toros (3-15) were defeated by second ranked Trotamundos (15-6) 93-80 on Monday. Trotamundos looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for the former international center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, college: Campbellsville, agency: Pro Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) helped adding 16 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American center Elijah Tillman (203-1994, college: GBC) responded with 19 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Trotamundos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 15-6 record having four points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Toros keep the ninth position with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: N.Colmenares 22+9reb+1ast, J.Wilson 16+7reb+2ast, J.Zamora 15+4reb+1ast, C.James 13+3reb+3ast, E.Baez 8+3reb+5ast, D.Davis 6+2ast
Toros: D.Jackson 19+1ast, E.Tillman 19+5reb+1ast, A.Spruill 15+7reb+3ast, A.Blanco 11+5reb+6ast, L.Irazabal Jr. 5+2reb+1ast, J.Vargas 4+8reb+4ast