SPB Round 30 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Pioneros' defeat of Llaneros

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Llaneros (#8). Pioneros (11-10) smashed visiting Llaneros (5-15) by 29 points 97-68. Pioneros forced 19 Llaneros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Llaneros' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Pioneros made 10 blocks. It was a good game for American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) contributed with 18 points for the winners. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) replied with 22 points for Llaneros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Pioneros went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Gaiteros and Spartans. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 15 games lost. Pioneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Broncos.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#5) and Brillantes (#4). Brillantes were defeated at home 67-72 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The former international Jose Rodriguez (197-1994) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Jaison Valdez chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-1998, college: AIC) with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Spartans (11-10) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Gaiteros and Pioneros. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the third position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
SPB top team - Gladiadores (19-2) added another victory to their record on Friday. This time they beat ninth ranked Toros (3-16) in Caracas 82-76. Paul Jackson notched 17 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by Jose Vargas did not help to save the game for Toros. Toros' coach Daniel Centeno rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Loser Toros keep the ninth place with 16 games lost. Gladiadores will meet at home Frontinos (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Toros will play against the league's second-placed Trotamundos in La Asuncion and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 30 Broncos were beaten by Frontinos on the road 98-90.



Frontinos - Broncos 98-90

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Frontinos (8-15) beat 5th ranked Broncos (10-10) in Tachira 98-90 on Friday. American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Canadian forward Richard Amardi (206-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) supported him with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds by American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) did not help to save the game for Broncos. His fellow American import guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) added 19 points and 5 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. Frontinos maintains seventh position with 8-15 record. Loser Broncos dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. Frontinos will meet league's leader Gladiadores in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Pioneros.
Top scorers:
Frontinos: R.Amardi 21+10reb+1ast, L.Bearden 19+5reb+10ast, K.Kramer 17+9reb, M.Henry 11+1reb, A.Cabrera 9+1reb, C.Silva 9+4reb+3ast
Broncos: J.Williams 21+5reb+2ast, R.James 19+5reb+2ast, T.Wilkerson 14+4reb, J.Araujo 11+7reb+3ast, J.Finol 9+2reb, L.Duarte 7+3reb

Pioneros - Llaneros 97-68

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#3) and Llaneros (#8). Pioneros (11-10) smashed visiting Llaneros (5-15) by 29 points 97-68. Pioneros forced 19 Llaneros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Llaneros' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Pioneros made 10 blocks. It was a good game for American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) contributed with 18 points for the winners. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Pioneros players scored in double figures. American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) replied with 22 points and French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) added 9 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Llaneros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Despite that victory Pioneros went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Gaiteros and Spartans. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 15 games lost. Pioneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Broncos.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: A.Castillo 18+1reb+2ast, T.Bond 17+5reb+10ast, W.Daniels 13+4reb+1ast, F.Pichardo 10+5reb+4ast, J.Diaz 9, T.Mathias 8+6reb+2ast
Llaneros: D.Wright 22+4reb+1ast, J.Tovar 11+2reb+3ast, F.Marquez 10+4reb, L.Debaut 9+11reb+1ast, Y.Llerena 8+2reb+1ast, E.Gimenez 5+7reb+2ast

Gladiadores - Toros 82-76

SPB top team - Gladiadores (19-2) added another victory to their record on Friday. This time they beat ninth ranked Toros (3-16) in Caracas 82-76. American guard Paul Jackson (188-1996, college: EMU, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) notched 17 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Anthony Perez (205-1993, college: Ole Miss) supported him with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Jackson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Gladiadores players scored in double figures. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by the former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982, agency: Pro Sports) did not help to save the game for Toros. Maltese-American Darryl Jackson (189-1985, college: WPU, agency: Interperformances) added 20 points. Toros' coach Daniel Centeno rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Gladiadores have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-2 record. Loser Toros keep the ninth place with 16 games lost. Gladiadores will meet at home Frontinos (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Toros will play against the league's second-placed Trotamundos in La Asuncion and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: P.Jackson 17+8reb+9ast, A.Perez 16+9reb+3ast, J.Materan 14+5reb+1ast, C.Garcia 11+5reb, G.Vargas 9+2reb+4ast, M.Dime 6+3reb+1ast
Toros: D.Jackson 20+2reb+1ast, J.Vargas 15+5reb+7ast, A.Spruill 12+8reb+2ast, A.Blanco 7+4reb, E.Tillman 7+4reb+3ast, E.Lezcano 6+1reb+4ast

Brillantes - Spartans 67-72

Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#5) and Brillantes (#4). Brillantes were defeated at home 67-72 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. The former international Jose Rodriguez (197-1994) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Dominican point guard Jaison Valdez (188-1995, agency: BMS Sport Agency) chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-1998, college: AIC) with 13 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Tu Holloway (183-1989, college: Xavier) scored 12 points and 7 assists. Four Brillantes players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Spartans (11-10) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Gaiteros and Pioneros. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the third position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Spartans: Y.Sifontes 17+1reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 14+10reb+1ast, J.Valdez 10+9reb+3ast, W.Davis II 8+2reb+3ast, J.Perez 8+4ast, N.Palacios 7+1reb+2ast
Brillantes: Z.Owens 13+8reb+1ast, T.Holloway 12+3reb+7ast, M.Marriaga 11+7reb, D.Summers 10+6reb+1ast, L.Germany 8+2reb+1ast, B.Duran 6+4reb+2ast