SPB Round 38 (Regular Season): Brillantes are defeated by Gladiadores in a derby game

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 4 rounds. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Brillantes (#5). Gladiadores (21-2) won against visiting Brillantes (11-10) 88-78. Gladiadores outrebounded Brillantes 49-34 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international forward Anthony Perez (205-1993, college: Ole Miss) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Senegalese-American center Malik Dime (206-1992, college: Washington, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) during the contest. American point guard Tu Holloway (183-1989, college: Xavier) responded with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 21-2 record. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Brillantes.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Broncos (#5) and Llaneros (#8). Broncos (12-10) smashed visiting Llaneros (5-17) by 31 points 104-73. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) notched 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) to lead the effort and Jordan Williams supported him with 16 points and 4 assists. Even 21 points by American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) did not help to save the game 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. Broncos moved-up to third place, which they share with Pioneros and Spartans. Llaneros lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 38: Gaiteros lost to Marinos on the opponent's court 67-85. Piratas managed to outperform Panteras in a home game 78-64. Toros recorded a loss to Pioneros on the road 92-74.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists by Tim Bond of Pioneros.



Gladiadores - Brillantes 88-78

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Gladiadores (#1) and Brillantes (#5). Gladiadores (21-2) won against visiting Brillantes (11-10) 88-78. Gladiadores outrebounded Brillantes 49-34 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The former international forward Anthony Perez (205-1993, college: Ole Miss) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Senegalese-American center Malik Dime (206-1992, college: Washington, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Gladiadores players scored in double figures. American point guard Tu Holloway (183-1989, college: Xavier) responded with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) scored 24 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gladiadores have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 21-2 record. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Brillantes.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Dime 21+11reb, M.Carrera 16+3reb+3ast, A.Perez 15+14reb+4ast, P.Jackson 12+4reb+5ast, G.Vargas 10+5reb+11ast, C.Fulda 5+1reb
Brillantes: T.Holloway 25+6reb+5ast, D.Summers 24+1reb+1ast, M.Letcher-Ellis 8+8reb+1ast, B.Duran 6+1reb+1ast, Z.Owens 4+1reb+1ast, J.Reese V 4+3reb+1ast

Broncos - Llaneros 104-73

Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Caracas: Broncos (#5) and Llaneros (#8). Broncos (12-10) smashed visiting Llaneros (5-17) by 31 points 104-73. Broncos shot 63.9 percent from the field. Broncos had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) notched 19 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) to lead the effort and American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) supported him with 16 points and 4 assists. Even 21 points by American forward Dion Wright (201-1993, college: St.Bonaventure) did not help to save the game for Llaneros. French center Ludgy Debaut (213-1998, college: ECU, agency: Helping Ballers) added 11 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Five Broncos and four Llaneros 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. Broncos moved-up to third place, which they share with Pioneros and Spartans. Llaneros lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Broncos: L.Duarte 19+5reb+7ast, T.Wilkerson 18+1reb+1ast, J.Williams 16+4ast, R.Roca 16+1reb, R.James 16+2reb+2ast, J.Centeno 7+1ast
Llaneros: D.Wright 21+2reb+1ast, C.Centeno 13+4reb+1ast, L.Debaut 11+9reb+1ast, V.Fernandez 11+4reb+5ast, J.Martinez 6, Y.Llerena 5+3reb+1ast

Marinos - Gaiteros 85-67

Rather expected game in Puerto La Cruz where 6th ranked Gaiteros (11-12) were defeated by third ranked Marinos (15-8) 85-67. Marinos dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Gaiteros' 28. They outrebounded Gaiteros 48-24 including a 17-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Marinos players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Gaiteros' players. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and American swingman Trayvon Palmer (198-1994, college: Chicago St.) supported him with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Four Marinos players scored in double figures. Even 13 points and 5 rebounds by American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) did not help to save the game for Gaiteros. His fellow American import swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) added 15 points for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Marinos maintains third position with 15-8 record having just three points less than leader Gladiadores. Gaiteros at the other side keep the sixth place with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Marinos: L.Bethelmy 17+11reb+1ast, T.Palmer 16+5reb, O.Caraballo 12+3reb+2ast, L.Julio 10+5reb+4ast, D.Lamb 9+3reb+3ast, C.Lemus 7+2reb+4ast
Gaiteros: M.Warren 15+2reb, M.Butler 13+5reb+2ast, C.Eyenga 12+2reb, M.Rudas 7+1reb, V.Okouo 6+2reb+1ast, C.Garcia 6+1reb+2ast

Piratas - Panteras 78-64

Rather predictable result in La Guaira where fifth ranked Piratas (13-8) defeated 7th ranked Panteras (7-17) 78-64. American guard Zack Bryant (188-1997, college: Georgia South) notched 20 points and 4 steals to lead the effort and American-Hungarian forward Damian Hollis (203-1988, college: GWU) supported him with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Piratas' coach Melvyn Lopez used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 15 points and 7 rebounds by Evert Bernal (195-1996) did not help to save the game for Panteras. The former international guard Yeferson Guerra (192-2003, agency: Pro Sports) added 14 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Piratas moved-up to fourth place. Panteras at the other side keep the seventh position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Piratas: Z.Bryant 20+1ast, J.Ramos 10+5reb+1ast, D.Hollis 10+8reb+1ast, A.Morillo 9+1reb+1ast, M.Watkins 7+10reb+1ast, A.Amundaray 6+2reb
Panteras: E.Bernal 15+7reb+1ast, Y.Guerra 14+5reb+2ast, W.Gomez 10+4reb, J.Coakley 8+5reb+2ast, W.Graterol 5, E.Alcala 5+8reb+1ast

Pioneros - Toros 92-74

Not a big story in a game in Caracas where 9th ranked Toros (3-18) were defeated by sixth ranked Pioneros (12-10) 92-74. Pioneros players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Toros' players. American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU, agency: BMS Sport Agency) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) supported him with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Pioneros' coach Nelson Solorzano used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds by power forward Brian Guidi (200-1991) did not help to save the game for Toros. Forward Ludwing Irazabal Jr (198-1998) added 15 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Pioneros moved-up to third place, which they share with Broncos and Spartans. Toros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 18 games lost. Pioneros will play against Frontinos (#7) in Tachira in the next round. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: A.Castillo 19+6reb+4ast, T.Bond 19+5reb+10ast, F.Pichardo 14+7reb+1ast, T.Mathias 10+4reb+1ast, E.Montano 7+3reb, W.Daniels 5+2reb+1ast
Toros: L.Irazabal Jr. 15+6reb+2ast, B.Guidi 14+14reb+1ast, E.Tillman 11+10reb, A.Barrios 11+6reb+1ast, C.Gutierrez 9+2reb+2ast, J.Vargas 5+3reb