SPB Round 37 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Heroes' defeat of Panteras

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 exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Heroes (#5) and Panteras (#7). Heroes (13-12) won against visiting Panteras (7-16) 72-68. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian point guard Nicolas De los Santos (180-1988) who helped to win the game recording 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Gregory Curvelo (195-1990) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Heroes' coach Ivan Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. The former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) answered with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Panteras. Heroes moved-up to fourth place. Panteras at the other side keep the seventh position with 16 games lost. Heroes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play on the road against Piratas (#5) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Trotamundos (15-7) against fifth ranked Spartans (12-10) on Thursday night. Host Trotamundos were defeated by Spartans in a tough game in La Asuncion 77-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds for the winners and Kenny Hasbrouck chipped in 15 points. Spartans' coach Juan Manuel Cordoba allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American point guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) responded with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Spartans moved-up to third place. Trotamundos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Trotamundos will play on the road against the league's leader Gladiadores in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between fifth ranked Piratas (12-8) and 9th ranked Diablos (4-18) in La Guaira on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Piratas beat guests from Caracas 89-71. Michael Watkins nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side. Justin Satchell came up with 13 points and 5 rebounds for Diablos in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Piratas maintains fifth place with 12-8 record. Diablos lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 18 games lost. Piratas will meet at home Panteras (#7) in the next round. Diablos will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 37 Gaiteros were beaten by Guaiqueries on the road 86-71. Broncos won against Toros on its own court 93-77.



Trotamundos - Spartans 77-85

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Trotamundos (15-7) against fifth ranked Spartans (12-10) on Thursday night. Host Trotamundos were defeated by Spartans in a tough game in La Asuncion 77-85. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001, agency: BMS Sport Agency) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds for the winners and American guard Kenny Hasbrouck (191-1986, college: Siena, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 15 points. Spartans' coach Juan Manuel Cordoba allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American point guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) responded with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-1989) scored 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Spartans moved-up to third place. Trotamundos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Trotamundos will play on the road against the league's leader Gladiadores in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Spartans: J.Perez 36+10reb+1ast, K.Hasbrouck 15+3ast, W.Davis II 10+2reb+2ast, K.Urbina 6, N.Palacios 6+1reb+2ast, J.Jones 5+5reb
Trotamundos: C.James 27+9reb+4ast, J.Zamora 16+6reb+4ast, F.Fuenmayor 12+10reb, N.Colmenares 8+6reb+4ast, E.Baez 8+1reb+3ast, D.Smith 6+4reb+2ast

Guaiqueries - Gaiteros 86-71

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Guaiqueries (16-7) beat 6th ranked Gaiteros (11-11) in Porlamar 86-71 on Thursday. International Edgar Martinez (199-1997) nailed 18 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side and American forward Alphonso Anderson (198-1997, college: Pacific) accounted for 15 points. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) came up with 18 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Gaiteros in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guaiqueries have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 16-7 record having just two points less than leader Gladiadores. Loser Gaiteros keep the sixth position with 11 games lost. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gaiteros will play against Marinos (#3) in Puerto La Cruz and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: E.Martinez 18+3reb+3ast, A.Anderson 15+3reb+3ast, D.Sims 12+1reb, J.Sojo 9+2reb, F.Corvalan 8+3reb+5ast, G.McGhee 8+3reb+1ast
Gaiteros: M.Warren 18+7reb+1ast, M.Butler 17+5reb+2ast, K.Nino 11+2reb, R.Abell 8+1reb, J.Diaz 6+4reb+1ast, C.Garcia 3+2reb+1ast

Piratas - Diablos 89-71

The game between fifth ranked Piratas (12-8) and 9th ranked Diablos (4-18) in La Guaira on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Piratas beat guests from Caracas 89-71. Piratas dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Diablos' 32 and made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Diablos 48-31 including a 35-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Piratas made 8 blocks. American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side and Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993, agency: BMS Sport Agency) accounted for 16 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Five Piratas players scored in double figures. American-Dominican center Justin Satchell (203-1995, college: St.Leo) came up with 13 points and 5 rebounds and guard Juan Mejias (184-1995) added 17 points respectively for Diablos in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Piratas maintains fifth place with 12-8 record. Diablos lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 18 games lost. Piratas will meet at home Panteras (#7) in the next round. Diablos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Piratas: M.Watkins 24+18reb, J.Vargas 16+4reb+2ast, J.Suero 16+9reb+7ast, J.Ramos 13+6reb+1ast, D.Hollis 10+6reb, A.Espinoza 4
Diablos: J.Mejias 17, J.Satchell 13+5reb+3ast, D.Padrino 12+1reb, J.Vargas 8+3reb, E.Gonzalez 6+3reb+4ast, J.Martinez 5

Broncos - Toros 93-77

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Toros (3-17) lost to sixth ranked Broncos (11-10) in Caracas 77-93 on Thursday. Broncos made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Broncos had a 29-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Tyler Wilkerson (203-1988, college: Marshall) nailed 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) accounted for 13 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Power forward Brian Guidi (200-1991) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Angel Blanco (179-1997) added 12 points and 5 assists respectively for Toros in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Broncos moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Pioneros. Toros lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. Broncos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.
Top scorers:
Broncos: T.Wilkerson 19+8reb+1ast, H.Guillent 16+4ast, R.James 15+2reb+2ast, J.Williams 13+4reb+3ast, L.Duarte 8+5reb+2ast, R.Roca 7+1reb+1ast
Toros: B.Guidi 15+11reb+2ast, A.Blanco 12+3reb+5ast, E.Tillman 12+3reb+4ast, A.Barrios 11+1reb+1ast, M.Suarez 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Gonzalez 7+2ast

Heroes - Panteras 72-68

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Heroes (#5) and Panteras (#7). Heroes (13-12) won against visiting Panteras (7-16) 72-68. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian point guard Nicolas De los Santos (180-1988) who helped to win the game recording 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Gregory Curvelo (195-1990) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Heroes' coach Ivan Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. The former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) answered with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) added 11 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Panteras. Heroes moved-up to fourth place. Panteras at the other side keep the seventh position with 16 games lost. Heroes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play on the road against Piratas (#5) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Heroes: G.Curvelo 17+5reb, J.Gonzalez 16+1ast, N.De los Santos 10+6reb+8ast, A.Nation 9+2reb, L.Almanza 7+2reb, M.Nguirane 4+7reb
Panteras: Y.Guerra 18+6reb+4ast, W.Gomez 11+3reb, W.Graterol 11+5reb+1ast, E.Bernal 9+5reb+1ast, C.Raines 6+7reb+1ast, R.Perdomo 6+1reb