SPB Round 36 (Regular Season): Marinos defeat leader Cocodrilos

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.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (18-4) in Puerto La Cruz on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Marinos (13-8) 100-67. Marinos forced 19 Cocodrilos turnovers. It was a good game for the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) contributed with 14 points and 6 assists for the winners. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with 18 points for Cocodrilos. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos maintains third position with 13-8 record having six points less than leader Gladiadores. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Llaneros (#8). Gladiadores (19-2) won against visiting Llaneros (5-15) 93-78. Worth to mention a great performance of Costa Rican-Belizean Charles Garcia (204-1988, college: Seattle) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Gregory Vargas who added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Elder Gimenez (197-1991) with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
A very close game took place in Caracas between Panteras and Diablos. Seventh ranked Panteras (7-15) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Diablos (4-17). Panteras managed to escape with a 3-point win 74-71 on Tuesday evening. The winners were led by Evert Bernal who scored that evening 14 points and 5 rebounds. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by Justin Satchell did not help to save the game for Diablos. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras maintains seventh position with 7-15 record. Loser Diablos keep the ninth place with 17 games lost. Panteras' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Heroes.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 36: Frontinos were beaten by Brillantes on the road 89-84. Heroes lost to Gaiteros on its own court 83-87. Toros were outscored by Spartans in Caracas 69-102.



Brillantes - Frontinos 89-84

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Brillantes (11-9) beat 7th ranked Frontinos (8-15) in Caracas 89-84 on Tuesday. Brillantes made 26-of-34 free shots (76.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) who scored that evening 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard James Reese V (193-1998, college: S.Carolina) supported him with 13 points. Even 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals by American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) did not help to save the game for Frontinos. His fellow American import guard Michael Henry (198-1995, college: Buffalo St., agency: Haylett Sports) added 21 points. Four Frontinos players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Brillantes moved-up to third place. 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:
Brillantes: D.Summers 22+6reb+4ast, M.Flores 13+2reb+1ast, J.Reese V 13+4reb+3ast, M.Marriaga 11+4reb+2ast, T.Holloway 9+4reb+5ast, M.Letcher-Ellis 7+7reb+1ast
Frontinos: M.Henry 21+3reb+3ast, L.Bearden 18+5reb+5ast, M.Bolivar 17+5reb, R.Delph 15+6reb+3ast, S.Quiroz 5, J.Payen 4+2reb+3ast

Heroes - Gaiteros 83-87

There was a minor upset when one of their biggest challengers Heroes (12-12) lost to sixth ranked Gaiteros (11-10) in Caracas 83-87 on Monday. Gaiteros moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Pioneros and Spartans. Loser Heroes keep the fourth position with 12 games lost. Gaiteros will meet league's second-placed Guaiqueries in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Heroes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Panteras.

Spartans - Toros 102-69

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Spartans (11-10) rolled over 9th ranked Toros (3-16) in Caracas 102-69 on Tuesday. Spartans shot 62.7 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by American forward Will Davis II (203-1992, college: UC Irvine) who scored that evening 24 points and 8 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) supported him with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Five Spartans players scored in double figures. Even 16 points by point guard Angel Blanco (179-1997) did not help to save the game for Toros. The former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982, agency: Pro Sports) added 10 points and 7 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Spartans moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Gaiteros and Pioneros. Loser Toros keep the ninth position with 16 games lost. Spartans will meet league's second-placed Trotamundos in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Toros will play against Broncos (#6) in Caracas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Spartans: W.Davis II 24+8reb+1ast, J.Perez 21+5reb+3ast, N.Palacios 18+1reb+3ast, J.Jones 14+2reb+4ast, K.Hasbrouck 13+1reb+1ast, H.Bompart 4+2reb+2ast
Toros: A.Blanco 16+2reb+3ast, E.Tillman 10+5reb+4ast, J.Vargas 10+3reb+7ast, J.Vargas 9+5reb+3ast, B.Guidi 8+7reb+1ast, L.Irazabal Jr. 7+3reb+2ast

Panteras - Diablos 74-71

A very close game took place in Caracas between Panteras and Diablos. Seventh ranked Panteras (7-15) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Diablos (4-17). Panteras managed to escape with a 3-point win 74-71 on Tuesday evening. Panteras made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by Evert Bernal (195-1996) who scored that evening 14 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) supported him with 13 points and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Five Panteras players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by American-Dominican center Justin Satchell (203-1995, college: St.Leo) did not help to save the game for Diablos. Guard Edry Gonzalez (185-1998) added 11 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Panteras maintains seventh position with 7-15 record. Loser Diablos keep the ninth place with 17 games lost. Panteras' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Heroes.
Top scorers:
Panteras: W.Graterol 14+3reb+1ast, E.Bernal 14+5reb+2ast, Y.Guerra 13+3reb+4ast, W.Gomez 11+6reb+2ast, R.Perdomo 10+7reb, C.Raines 6+6reb+2ast
Diablos: J.Satchell 20+6reb+2ast, E.Figueroa 16+1ast, E.Gonzalez 11+4reb+6ast, J.Rodriguez 10+4reb, A.Arias 7+9reb, J.Mejias 5+4reb+5ast

Gladiadores - Llaneros 93-78

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Llaneros (#8). Gladiadores (19-2) won against visiting Llaneros (5-15) 93-78. Gladiadores dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Llaneros' 16. They outrebounded Llaneros 41-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Gladiadores players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Costa Rican-Belizean Charles Garcia (204-1988, college: Seattle) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986, agency: Pro Sports) who added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Gladiadores players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Elder Gimenez (197-1991) with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) scored 8 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 15 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 18+4reb+4ast, C.Garcia 14+9reb+5ast, A.Perez 14+6reb, G.Vargas 13+5reb+9ast, P.Jackson 13+3reb+5ast, M.Dime 10+8reb
Llaneros: E.Gimenez 17+5reb+6ast, Y.Llerena 13+3reb+3ast, V.Fernandez 11+3reb+5ast, F.Marquez 11, L.Debaut 8+10reb+2ast, C.Centeno 7

Marinos - Cocodrilos 100-67

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Cocodrilos (18-4) in Puerto La Cruz on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by third ranked Marinos (13-8) 100-67. Marinos forced 19 Cocodrilos turnovers. It was a good game for the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. American guard Shamorie Ponds (185-1998, college: St.John's) contributed with 14 points and 6 assists for the winners. Five Marinos players scored in double figures. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with 18 points and Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Cocodrilos. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos maintains third position with 13-8 record having six points less than leader Gladiadores. Cocodrilos at the other side still keep top place with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Marinos: L.Bethelmy 15+10reb+2ast, D.Lamb 14+1reb+4ast, S.Ponds 14+6ast, E.Zelionis 13+5reb, M.Sierralta 10+4reb, J.Smith 10+2ast
Cocodrilos: J.Hamilton 18+1ast, J.Guerrero 12+7reb, L.Montero 11+4reb, E.Hernandez 7+4reb+2ast, A.Cisneros 6+9reb+1ast, J.Gomez 3+1reb+1ast