SPB Round 6 (Regular Season): Brillantes hand first loss to Pioneros

There were just 6 rounds played in Regular Season of SPB and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Pioneros (4-1) in Caracas on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by twelfth ranked Brillantes (2-4) 82-69. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Pioneros. It was a good game for American swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 6 rebounds. The other American import forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) contributed with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech) replied with 23 points and 7 rebounds for Pioneros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes moved-up to eleventh place. Pioneros at the other side keep the second position with one game lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Marinos (4-2) against ninth ranked Gladiadores (3-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Marinos were defeated by Gladiadores in a tough game in Caracas 108-114. American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) scored 39 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Michael Carrera chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) with 31 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Trotamundos. Marinos at the other side keep the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Toros' fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Frontinos (3-2) on the road game in Tachira 89-78 on Sunday. American players dominated the game. Addison Spruill notched 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by Taylor Johns did not help to save the game for Frontinos. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros maintains thirteenth position with 1-4 record. Loser Frontinos dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. Toros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Frontinos will play again against Toros (#13) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 6 Cocodrilos were beaten by Guaiqueries on the road 91-75. Trotamundos lost to undefeated Gaiteros on its own court 61-79.
The most impressive performance of 6th round was 18 points and 6 rebounds by Fernando Fuenmayor of Trotamundos.



Frontinos - Toros 78-89

Toros' fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after four consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Frontinos (3-2) on the road game in Tachira 89-78 on Sunday. American players dominated the game. Guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) notched 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) supported him with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Four Toros players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) by center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) did not help to save the game for Frontinos. Akia Pruitt (203-1997, college: UNCP) added 12 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros maintains thirteenth position with 1-4 record. Loser Frontinos dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. Toros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Frontinos will play again against Toros (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Frontinos: T.Johns 23+16reb+3ast, M.McBride 12+2reb+2ast, A.Pruitt 12+3reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 9+4reb+3ast, J.Diaz 8+7reb+1ast, L.Palacios 6+2reb+2ast
Toros: A.Spruill 27+8reb+4ast, R.Brown 18+5reb+1ast, A.Blanco 13+3reb+3ast, J.Zapata 10+5reb+1ast, L.Palacios 7+4reb, J.Hampton 6+2reb

Gladiadores - Marinos 114-108

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Marinos (4-2) against ninth ranked Gladiadores (3-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Marinos were defeated by Gladiadores in a tough game in Caracas 108-114. Gladiadores outrebounded Marinos 54-41 including 39 on the defensive glass. Marinos were plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) scored 39 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) with 31 points and 6 assists and the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Trotamundos. Marinos at the other side keep the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Marinos: W.Saunders 31+4reb+6ast, L.Bethelmy 22+14reb+1ast, M.Bryson 16+4reb+4ast, E.Baez 11+2reb+2ast, S.Jones 9+3reb, C.Lemus 8+3ast
Gladiadores: D.Summers 39+9reb+2ast, M.Carrera 22+9reb+2ast, G.Vargas 19+3reb+9ast, R.Rada 11+12reb+2ast, A.Morillo 9+3reb, C.Garcia 7+8reb+2ast

Guaiqueries - Cocodrilos 91-75

There was a surprise result when eleventh ranked Guaiqueries (2-3) beat higher ranked Cocodrilos (2-3) in Porlamar 91-75 on Sunday. Guaiqueries shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 55.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Cocodrilos' players. American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) notched a double-double by scoring 13 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Brazilian center Joao Franca (215-1998) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. Even 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by American Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Cocodrilos. His fellow American import guard Camron Donatlan (190, college: UWG) added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to ninth place, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos will play against Piratas (#12) in La Guaira and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: K.Woods 19+6reb+4ast, F.Pirela 14+2reb+3ast, C.Donatlan 11+10reb+2ast, I.Banks 8+3reb, C.Garcia 6+1ast, C.Lopez 6+3reb+1ast
Guaiqueries: J.Franca 16+6reb+2ast, J.Ascanio 15+5reb, M.Mobley 14+5reb, T.White 13+6reb+10ast, J.Brito 6+5reb+1ast, G.Correa 6+2reb

Brillantes - Pioneros 82-69

The most surprising game was the first loss of Pioneros (4-1) in Caracas on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by twelfth ranked Brillantes (2-4) 82-69. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Pioneros. It was a good game for American swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 6 rebounds. The other American import forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) contributed with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech) replied with 23 points and 7 rebounds and the former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) added 8 points and 7 assists in the effort for Pioneros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brillantes moved-up to eleventh place. Pioneros at the other side keep the second position with one game lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: J.Allen 23+7reb+1ast, S.Wooten Jr. 13+2reb, H.Guillent 8+2reb+7ast, T.Bond 7+3reb+4ast, E.Winchester 5+1reb+1ast, S.Tineo 4+5reb
Brillantes: C.Lewis 19+6reb+3ast, M.Marriaga 12+4reb+1ast, M.Henry 11+8reb+4ast, J.Guillen 9+4reb, J.Vargas 9+5reb+1ast, C.Paez 9+3reb+3ast

Trotamundos - Gaiteros 61-79

Very expected game when 6th ranked Trotamundos (3-3) lost to top-ranked Gaiteros (6-0) in La Asuncion 61-79 on Sunday. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) notched 17 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) supported him with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Even 18 points and 6 rebounds by the former international power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-2000) did not help to save the game for Trotamundos. American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) added 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Loser Trotamundos keep the sixth place with three games lost. They share the position with Gladiadores. Gaiteros will meet at home bottom-ranked Llaneros (#14) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Trotamundos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: F.Fuenmayor 18+6reb+2ast, T.Jones 12+5reb+1ast, D.Cubillan 12+2reb+3ast, J.Zamora 6+3reb+2ast, D.Smith 5+10reb+2ast, S.Davis 4+3reb+3ast
Gaiteros: M.Warren 17+4reb+5ast, D.St.Hilaire 15+3reb+1ast, L.Duarte 11+8reb+4ast, N.Carter 8+4reb+1ast, M.Simon 7+3reb, E.Cappare 6+2reb+1ast