SPB Round 1 (Regular Season): Piratas lose to Gladiadores

The Regular Season in SPB just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Piratas in Caracas on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by Gladiadores 96-70. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Piratas' players. American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) fired 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) produced 14 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. 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 is again looking forward to face Piratas in La Guaira in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Piratas will have a break next round.
Another exciting game was played in Porlamar between Marinos and Guaiqueries where Marinos beat Guaiqueries on the road 75-68. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Carlos Lemus (190-1999, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 7 assists. Michael Bryson contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Marinos' coach Claudio Jorquera allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) answered with 21 points for Guaiqueries. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guaiqueries will play again at home against Marinos to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game was played in Tachira where Brillantes beat host Frontinos 69-61 on Friday evening. Latavious Williams stepped up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Taylor Johns responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena .

Other games of round 1 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Llaneros lost to undefeated Trotamundos in La Asuncion 75-77. Spartans smashed Panteras at home 84-60. Winless Toros lost to undefeated Gaiteros on the opponent's court 64-93.
The best stats of 1st round was 17 points and 6 rebounds by Rakim Brown of Toros.



Gladiadores - Piratas 96-70

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Piratas in Caracas on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by Gladiadores 96-70. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Piratas' players. American guard Matthew Butler (188-1995, college: UT Martin) fired 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) produced 14 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Kevin Nino (195-1991) added 15 points respectively for lost side. 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 is again looking forward to face Piratas in La Guaira in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Piratas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Butler 19+1reb+3ast, M.Carrera 17+5reb+1ast, R.Rada 17+1reb, C.Garcia 9+7reb, M.Crawford 9+4reb+1ast, J.Diaz 8+3reb+1ast
Piratas: K.Nino 15+3reb+2ast, R.James 14+5reb+2ast, J.Suero 11+1reb+2ast, E.Bernal 9+2reb, D.Summers 6+5reb, A.Amundaray 5+1reb

Trotamundos - Llaneros 77-75

Trotamundos used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Caracas 77-75 on Friday night. Trotamundos outrebounded Llaneros 46-34 including 31 on the defensive glass. The former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-1989) stepped up and scored 23 points for the winners and naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. At the losing side American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Humberto Bompart (183-1994) scored 19 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos will meet Pioneros in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Llaneros' 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:
Trotamundos: J.Zamora 23+2reb+2ast, E.Tovar 12+3reb+1ast, D.Smith 11+7reb+7ast, T.Jones 10+9reb+1ast, F.Fuenmayor 7+1reb+1ast, M.Ruiz 6+14reb
Llaneros: D.Graham 21+13reb+2ast, H.Bompart 19+3reb+1ast, G.Foster 11+1reb+2ast, A.Forbes 6+6reb+3ast, Y.Palacios 5+2reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 4+1reb

Guaiqueries - Marinos 68-75

Another exciting game was played in Porlamar between Marinos and Guaiqueries where Marinos beat Guaiqueries on the road 75-68. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Carlos Lemus (190-1999, college: UTEP) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 7 assists. American guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four Marinos players scored in double figures. Marinos' coach Claudio Jorquera allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) answered with 21 points and the former international Gendry Correa (190-1996) added 18 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Guaiqueries. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guaiqueries will play again at home against Marinos to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Marinos: M.Bryson 17+5reb+1ast, C.Lemus 16+4reb+7ast, T.Farmer 16+5reb+1ast, W.Saunders 12+4reb+1ast, S.Jones 7+5reb, L.Bethelmy 6+7reb+2ast
Guaiqueries: M.Mobley 21+2reb+1ast, G.Correa 18+5reb+1ast, J.Blake 13+4reb+2ast, F.Centeno 7+11reb, H.Diaz 4+3reb+1ast, E.Martinez 3+8reb+1ast

Frontinos - Brillantes 61-69

An interesting game was played in Tachira where Brillantes beat host Frontinos 69-61 on Friday evening. Brillantes forced 24 Frontinos turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brillantes made 8 blocks. American power forward Latavious Williams (203-1989) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) chipped in 14 points. At the losing side American center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds and the former international swingman Cesar Silva (190-1981) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena .
Top scorers:
Brillantes: C.Lewis 14+4reb+2ast, L.Williams 10+10reb, M.Henry 10+4reb+5ast, D.Rondon 9+3reb+2ast, L.Lopez 8+6reb+1ast, J.Martinez 8+3reb
Frontinos: T.Johns 15+13reb+3ast, M.McBride 13+4reb+2ast, C.Silva 10+10reb+1ast, J.Diaz 7+7reb+1ast, A.Pruitt 7+7reb+4ast, M.Bolivar 2+3reb

Spartans - Panteras 84-60

Spartans used a home court advantage and smashed the opponent from Caracas 84-60 on Friday night. Spartans outrebounded Panteras 49-33 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward JyLan Washington (206-1997, college: Tennessee St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Nelson Palacios (192-1992) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Sydney Curry (203-2000, college: GCU) responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds and Jhonatan Acosta (197-1996) scored 8 points and 6 rebounds. 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' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Spartans: N.Palacios 16+5reb+1ast, J.Perez 15+5reb, J.Washington 12+12reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 11+6reb+3ast, A.Holmes 11+3reb+4ast, L.Carrillo 7+11reb+3ast
Panteras: S.Curry 18+9reb, T.Williams 9+4reb+2ast, J.Acosta 8+6reb+2ast, O.Blanco 8+3reb, W.Gomez 4+1reb, A.Indriago 4+4ast

Gaiteros - Toros 93-64

Gaiteros used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Maracay 93-64 on Friday night. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Toros' 30. Gaiteros forced 19 Toros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) stepped up and scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Four Gaiteros players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. 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. Gaiteros will again meet at home Toros in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: N.Carter 14+5reb+5ast, M.Warren 13, L.Duarte 12+7reb+2ast, M.Bell 11+5reb+4ast, E.Cappare 10+1ast, D.St.Hilaire 8+4reb+7ast
Toros: R.Brown 17+6reb+3ast, A.Spruill 17+5reb+2ast, J.Zapata 7+1reb, B.Guidi 6+6reb+1ast, A.Blanco 6+2reb+3ast, J.Hampton 4+1reb