SPB Round 4 (Regular Season): Marinos lose to Spartans

Round 4 means everything may happen in SPB as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Undefeated Marinos (3-1) recorded its first loss in Puerto La Cruz on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Spartans (3-1) 79-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Marinos. 25 personal fouls committed by Marinos helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) fired 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Nelson Palacios (192-1992) chipped in 21 points. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) produced 22 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Marinos' coach Claudio Jorquera rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Spartans moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Trotamundos. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Marinos will play on the road against Gladiadores in Caracas and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Seventh ranked Cocodrilos (2-1) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th ranked Gladiadores (2-2) 80-77 on Wednesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 4 assists. Willie Reed contributed with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) replied with 26 points for Gladiadores. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Frontinos. Defending champion Gladiadores dropped to the eighth position with two games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaiqueries (#12) in Porlamar in the next round where they are favorite. Gladiadores will play at home against Marinos (#5) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Piratas can celebrate their first win this season after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Guaiqueries (0-3) 94-88 on Wednesday. Worth to mention a great performance of Juan Suero who helped to win the game recording 21 points. Piratas' coach Nestor Garcia used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Gendry Correa responded with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Piratas (1-2) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Panteras. It was Guaiqueries' third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guaiqueries will play against Cocodrilos (#6) and hope to get finally their first victory.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Gaiteros defeated Brillantes in Maracaibo 77-60. Trotamundos beat Toros at home 83-66. Frontinos won against Llaneros on the opponent's court 54-50.
The best stats of 4th round was 8 points and 10 rebounds by Akia Pruitt of Frontinos.



Piratas - Guaiqueries 94-88

Piratas can celebrate their first win this season after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Guaiqueries (0-3) 94-88 on Wednesday. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) who added 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. Piratas' coach Nestor Garcia used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side the former international Gendry Correa (190-1996) responded with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-1985) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Piratas (1-2) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Panteras. It was Guaiqueries' third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Guaiqueries will play against Cocodrilos (#6) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: M.Mobley 19+3reb+1ast, G.Correa 18+5reb+4ast, F.Centeno 18+6reb+2ast, J.Blake 11+4reb+6ast, E.Martinez 11+4reb, T.Cobos 9+3reb
Piratas: J.Suero 21+2reb, R.James 14+4reb+4ast, K.Nino 13+4reb+4ast, J.Vargas 11+2reb+5ast, D.Summers 10+3reb+2ast, R.Roca 8+2reb+2ast

Marinos - Spartans 72-79

Undefeated Marinos (3-1) recorded its first loss in Puerto La Cruz on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Spartans (3-1) 79-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Marinos. 25 personal fouls committed by Marinos helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) fired 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Nelson Palacios (192-1992) chipped in 21 points. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) produced 22 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) added 16 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Marinos' coach Claudio Jorquera rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Spartans moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Trotamundos. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Marinos will play on the road against Gladiadores in Caracas and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Marinos: T.Farmer 22+7reb+2ast, M.Bryson 16+8reb, W.Saunders 15+4reb+3ast, S.Jones 6, E.Baez 4+3ast, C.Lemus 3+3reb+4ast
Spartans: N.Palacios 21+4reb+2ast, J.Perez 18+7reb+4ast, L.Almanza 16+2reb, J.Rodriguez 11+5reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 6+5reb+1ast, A.Holmes 5+7reb+1ast

Brillantes - Gaiteros 60-77

There was no surprise in Caracas where 9th ranked Brillantes (1-3) were defeated by top-ranked Gaiteros (4-0) 77-60 on Wednesday. Gaiteros forced 22 Brillantes turnovers and outrebounded them 46-34 including 33 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican forward Miguel Simon (203-1994, college: ASA CC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who added 9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals during the contest. Four Gaiteros players scored in double figures. At the losing side American swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) responded with 17 points and his fellow American import forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) scored 10 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gaiteros have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Brillantes lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with three games lost. Gaiteros will meet Trotamundos (#4) in the next round. Brillantes' 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:
Brillantes: C.Lewis 17+3reb+3ast, M.Henry 10+3reb+1ast, J.Vargas 7+2reb+1ast, J.Guillen 6+3reb+1ast, B.Duran 4+2reb+2ast, G.Rice Jr. 4+6reb+4ast
Gaiteros: M.Simon 14+11reb+2ast, D.St.Hilaire 13+5reb+3ast, M.Warren 12+3reb+3ast, N.Carter 11+5reb+2ast, L.Duarte 9+8reb+5ast, K.Caraballo 8+3reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Gladiadores 80-77

Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Seventh ranked Cocodrilos (2-1) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 4th ranked Gladiadores (2-2) 80-77 on Wednesday evening. Cocodrilos outrebounded Gladiadores 35-23 including 24 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 4 assists. The other American import power forward Willie Reed (211-1990, college: St.Louis, agency: Octagon Europe) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) replied with 26 points and international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists in the effort for Gladiadores. Four Cocodrilos and five Gladiadores players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cocodrilos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Frontinos. Defending champion Gladiadores dropped to the eighth position with two games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaiqueries (#12) in Porlamar in the next round where they are favorite. Gladiadores will play at home against Marinos (#5) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 26+4reb+3ast, M.Butler 15+1reb+3ast, G.Vargas 13+5reb+10ast, R.Rada 11+1reb, C.Garcia 10+7reb, C.Fulda 2+1reb
Cocodrilos: K.Woods 18+3reb+4ast, L.Betancourt 15+3reb+2ast, F.Pirela 12+6reb+3ast, W.Reed 10+10reb+1ast, C.Donatlan 7+1reb+1ast, E.Hernandez 6+4reb

Trotamundos - Toros 83-66

No shocking result in a game in La Asuncion where sixth ranked Trotamundos (3-1) defeated bottom-ranked Toros (0-4) 83-66 on Wednesday. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Dallas Morgan (185-1998, college: CMU) who helped to win the game recording 13 points and Shaheed Davis (206-1994, college: UCF) who added 12 points during the contest. At the losing side Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) scored 12 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Trotamundos moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Spartans. Toros at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Llaneros. Trotamundos will meet at home league's leader Gaiteros in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toros: R.Brown 20+11reb+3ast, A.Spruill 12+3reb+2ast, J.Hampton 10+2reb+2ast, J.Zapata 10+6reb+1ast, A.Blanco 6+4ast, B.Barrios 2+3reb+1ast
Trotamundos: D.Morgan 13+1reb+2ast, S.Davis 12+2reb+1ast, T.Jones 12+3reb, E.Tovar 10+1reb+3ast, F.Fuenmayor 9+2reb+1ast, D.Cubillan 8+3reb+2ast

Llaneros - Frontinos 50-54

Very expected game in Caracas where bottom-ranked Llaneros (0-4) were defeated by eighth ranked Frontinos (2-1) 54-50 on Thursday. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import Akia Pruitt (203-1997, college: UNCP) who added 8 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Jamaican center Adrian Forbes (208-1988, college: Auburn, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with 5 points and 13 rebounds and American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) scored 9 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Frontinos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Cocodrilos. Llaneros at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Toros. Frontinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Llaneros will play again against Frontinos (#7) and look forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Graham 9+5reb+2ast, G.Natesan 8+1reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 7+2reb, Y.Llerena 6+1reb, H.Bompart 6+5reb+1ast, Y.Palacios 5+2reb+1ast
Frontinos: T.Johns 11+13reb, C.Silva 9+5reb+3ast, M.Bolivar 9+5reb, A.Pruitt 8+10reb+2ast, M.McBride 6+2ast, A.Cabrera 5+2reb+1ast