SPB Round 2 of Regular Season

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in SPB. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Brillantes against Frontinos 80-78 was the most important game of the last round. American players dominated the game. Center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Mardrez McBride (188, college: Georgia) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. Power forward Latavious Williams (203-1989) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds for Brillantes. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes will play next round against strong Gaiteros trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Frontinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Gaiteros smashed Toros in Maracaibo 100-68. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) scored 24 points to lead the charge for the winners and Nahziah Carter chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros will play next round against Trotamundos trying to get back on the winning streak. Gaiteros will try to continue on its current victory against Brillantes at Caracas.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Trotamundos in Caracas on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Pioneros 99-82. Tim Bond notched 23 points to lead the effort. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by Torren Jones did not help to save the game for Trotamundos. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pioneros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: Piratas lost to Gladiadores on the road 76-80. Guaiqueries lost to undefeated Marinos on its own court 66-78. Cocodrilos lost to Spartans in Caracas 88-91. Llaneros lost to Pioneros at home 65-75.
The most impressive performance of 2nd round was 17 points and 9 rebounds by Jeff Allen of Pioneros.



Pioneros - Trotamundos 99-82

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Trotamundos in Caracas on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Pioneros 99-82. Pioneros forced 21 Trotamundos turnovers. American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) notched 23 points to lead the effort and the other American import guard Everett Winchester (201-1997, college: FAU, agency: Interperformances) supported him with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Pioneros players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) did not help to save the game for Trotamundos. Point guard Edson Tovar (180-2004) added 9 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pioneros' 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:
Trotamundos: T.Jones 20+6reb, D.Cubillan 12+3ast, J.Zamora 10+3reb+2ast, E.Tovar 9+5reb+3ast, D.Smith 7+3reb+3ast, S.Davis 6+3reb+2ast
Pioneros: T.Bond 23+2reb+2ast, J.Allen 16+3reb+1ast, E.Winchester 15+6reb+4ast, S.Wooten Jr. 13+2reb+1ast, H.Guillent 13+2reb+4ast, E.Montano 8+2reb+1ast

Gladiadores - Piratas 80-76

No shocking result in a game when Gladiadores beat Piratas in Caracas 80-76 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Strangely Piratas outrebounded Gladiadores 44-28 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) notched 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) supported him with 13 points and 5 assists. Even 23 points by American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) did not help to save the game for Piratas. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) added 14 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Five Gladiadores and four Piratas players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Panteras.
Top scorers:
Piratas: R.James 23+3reb+3ast, J.Suero 14+9reb+3ast, K.Nino 13+6reb+1ast, A.Williams 11+10reb+2ast, G.Curvelo 6+4reb+2ast, E.Bernal 3+3reb+1ast
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 15+9reb+1ast, C.Garcia 13+5reb, M.Butler 13+3reb+5ast, G.Vargas 13+4reb+5ast, A.Morillo 11+2ast, R.Rada 6+1reb

Guaiqueries - Marinos 66-78

Very expected game when Guaiqueries lost to Marinos in Porlamar 66-78 on Saturday. The former international guard Carlos Lemus (190-1999, college: UTEP) notched 10 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Five Marinos players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 4 assists by American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) did not help to save the game for Guaiqueries. The former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-1985) added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos will meet at home Spartans in the next round. Guaiqueries will play against Piratas in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: J.Blake 17+2reb+4ast, F.Centeno 10+10reb+1ast, G.Correa 10+3reb, E.Martinez 7+5reb+3ast, T.Cobos 6+1reb+1ast, M.Mobley 6+3reb
Marinos: T.Farmer 17+4reb+1ast, W.Saunders 15+4reb+4ast, L.Bethelmy 13+5reb+4ast, C.Lemus 10+8reb+7ast, M.Bryson 10+4reb+1ast, S.Jones 10+7reb

Gaiteros - Toros 100-68

Gaiteros smashed Toros in Maracaibo 100-68. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Toros' 24. They outrebounded Toros 36-22 including a 28-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gaiteros shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) scored 24 points to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Alani Moore II (178-1998, college: Temple) scored 21 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros will play next round against Trotamundos trying to get back on the winning streak. Gaiteros will try to continue on its current victory against Brillantes at Caracas.
Top scorers:
Toros: A.Moore II 21+2ast, R.Brown 17+7reb+2ast, L.Palacios 9+2reb, A.Spruill 8+1ast, B.Guidi 5+4reb+1ast, A.Blanco 5+3reb+3ast
Gaiteros: L.Duarte 24+3reb+2ast, M.Warren 20+3reb+3ast, N.Carter 19+6reb+2ast, D.St.Hilaire 9+7ast, J.Gonzalez 8+2reb+4ast, J.Martinez 5+5reb+1ast

Frontinos - Brillantes 80-78

First defeat of league's leader Brillantes against Frontinos 80-78 was the most important game of the last round. American players dominated the game. Center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Mardrez McBride (188, college: Georgia) contributed with 19 points and 4 assists for the winners. Power forward Latavious Williams (203-1989) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Brillantes. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Brillantes will play next round against strong Gaiteros trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Frontinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: M.Henry 16+5reb, L.Williams 13+10reb, D.Rondon 13+6reb+2ast, C.Lewis 13+3reb+4ast, B.Duran 6+1reb, J.Guillen 6+2reb+1ast
Frontinos: M.McBride 19+2reb+4ast, A.Pruitt 12+5reb+1ast, J.Diaz 11+9reb+1ast, T.Johns 11+13reb+4ast, M.Bolivar 9+6reb, A.Cabrera 9+2reb+1ast

Spartans - Cocodrilos 91-88

Rather predictable result when Spartans edged Cocodrilos in Caracas 91-88 on Sunday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. It was a great shooting night for Spartans especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 62.5 percentage. The former international Jose Rodriguez (197-1994) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Nelson Palacios (192-1992) supported him with 22 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Even 23 points and 7 rebounds by American power forward Willie Reed (211-1990, college: St.Louis, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Cocodrilos. His fellow American import guard Camron Donatlan (190, college: UWG) added 16 points for the guests. Four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Cocodrilos' coach Alfredo Madrid tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Spartans will meet Marinos in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Panteras.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: W.Reed 23+7reb, F.Pirela 16+2reb, C.Donatlan 16+2reb+3ast, K.Woods 12+4reb+2ast, J.Finol 4+3reb, E.Mijares 4
Spartans: N.Palacios 22+2reb+2ast, J.Rodriguez 20+11reb+3ast, A.Holmes 19+1reb+2ast, Y.Sifontes 8+3reb+3ast, J.Washington 8+3reb+1ast, L.Almanza 4

Llaneros - Pioneros 65-75

Not a big story in a game when Llaneros lost to Pioneros in Caracas 65-75 on Sunday. It was a great shooting night for Pioneros especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. American power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech) notched 17 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Steve Wooten Jr (198-1998, college: Bethesda) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Llaneros. Jamaican center Adrian Forbes (208-1988, college: Auburn, agency: Haylett Sports) added 8 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Four Llaneros players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Pioneros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Llaneros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Pioneros.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Graham 16+14reb+1ast, H.Bompart 12+3reb+1ast, G.Natesan 11+3ast, E.Gonzalez 10+3reb+2ast, A.Forbes 8+8reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 4
Pioneros: S.Wooten Jr. 17+5reb+1ast, J.Allen 17+9reb+3ast, E.Montano 12+5reb+1ast, J.Bracho 9, T.Bond 6+2reb, E.Winchester 5+5reb