SPB Round 7 (Regular Season): Spartans beat Panteras in a derby game

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in SPB, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Spartans (#3) and Panteras (#8). Panteras were defeated at home 73-81 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Panteras. Spartans made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Spartans made 7 blocks. Nelson Palacios (192-1992) fired 24 points and 4 assists for the winners. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. American Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Panteras at the other side dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play on the road against Marinos (#5) in Puerto La Cruz and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Undefeated leader Gaiteros delivered the seventh consecutive victory. This time they beat bottom-ranked Llaneros (0-6) 81-67 in Maracaibo. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Micheal Warren contributed with 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Colombian forward Yustin Llerena (195-2002) answered with 24 points for Llaneros. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Undefeated Gaiteros (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 7 victories in a row. Llaneros at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Gaiteros will again play against bottom-ranked Llaneros (#14) in Caracas in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Llaneros will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Caracas between Spartans and Cocodrilos. Third ranked Spartans (5-1) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked Cocodrilos (3-4). Spartans managed to escape with a 3-point win 67-64 on Tuesday evening. Guest team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. It was a great evening for Jassel Perez who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!). At the losing side Keyshawn Woods responded with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Spartans. They moved-up to second place. Cocodrilos lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 7 Toros were defeated by Frontinos in Tachira 76-72. Piratas were beaten by Cocodrilos at home 74-80.



Panteras - Spartans 73-81

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Spartans (#3) and Panteras (#8). Panteras were defeated at home 73-81 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Panteras. Spartans made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Spartans made 7 blocks. Nelson Palacios (192-1992) fired 24 points and 4 assists for the winners. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. American Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Sydney Curry (203-2000, college: GCU) added 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Panteras at the other side dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Spartans will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play on the road against Marinos (#5) in Puerto La Cruz and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Panteras: E.Minnie 26+9reb, S.Curry 21+9reb+4ast, A.Indriago 10+3reb+9ast, T.Williams 7+1reb+2ast, J.Acosta 5+3reb, E.Alcala 3+2reb+1ast
Spartans: N.Palacios 24+1reb+4ast, J.Perez 16+7reb+4ast, T.Efianayi 14+4reb, Y.Sifontes 11+4reb+8ast, L.Almanza 9+4reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 5+12reb+1ast

Frontinos - Toros 76-72

There was no surprise in Tachira where 13th ranked Toros (1-5) were defeated by fifth ranked Frontinos (4-2) 76-72 on Monday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. It was a great evening for American Akia Pruitt (203-1997, college: UNCP) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import guard Mardrez McBride (188, college: Georgia) helped adding 21 points and 5 assists. At the losing side American forward Joe Hampton (203-1998, college: LBSU) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds and power forward Brian Guidi (200-1991) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Frontinos moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Marinos. Loser Toros keep the thirteenth position with five games lost. Frontinos will meet at home higher ranked Pioneros (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toros: J.Hampton 13+7reb+2ast, B.Guidi 11+8reb, L.Monte 8+1reb+2ast, A.Moore II 7+2reb, J.Zapata 7+2reb+1ast, A.Blanco 6+2reb+1ast
Frontinos: M.McBride 21+2reb+5ast, A.Pruitt 14+10reb+4ast, J.Diaz 10+11reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 9+1ast, M.Zambrano 8+2reb, C.Silva 8+2reb+3ast

Cocodrilos - Spartans 64-67

A very close game took place in Caracas between Spartans and Cocodrilos. Third ranked Spartans (5-1) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked Cocodrilos (3-4). Spartans managed to escape with a 3-point win 67-64 on Tuesday evening. Guest team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. It was a great evening for Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!). The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) helped adding 13 points. At the losing side American Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Camron Donatlan (190, college: UWG) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Spartans. They moved-up to second place. Cocodrilos lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: K.Woods 22+6reb+4ast, C.Donatlan 12+12reb+1ast, F.Pirela 7+2reb+1ast, L.Betancourt 6+1reb+3ast, E.Hernandez 5+4reb, C.Lopez 4+6reb
Spartans: J.Perez 17+8reb+2ast, Y.Sifontes 13+3reb+2ast, N.Palacios 10+6reb, H.Cazorla 8+2reb+2ast, L.Almanza 6+3reb, E.Thomas 5+3reb

Piratas - Cocodrilos 74-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked Cocodrilos' (3-4) road victory over 12th ranked Piratas (1-4) 80-74 on Wednesday. It was a great evening for American forward Isaac Banks (201-1994, college: ETSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 7 rebounds. The former international forward Ernesto Hernandez (193-1998) helped adding 12 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) responded with 22 points and 6 assists and American DaJuan Summers (203-1988, college: Georgetown) scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos moved-up to eighth place. Loser Piratas keep the twelfth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Piratas: R.James 22+4reb+6ast, D.Summers 20+7reb+2ast, R.Roca 8+4reb+2ast, G.Curvelo 8+3reb, M.Rudas 5+2reb+1ast, K.Nino 3+3reb
Cocodrilos: I.Banks 23+7reb+1ast, F.Pirela 15+3ast, E.Hernandez 12+8reb+2ast, C.Donatlan 9+12reb, K.Woods 6+3reb+2ast, J.Gomez 3+1reb

Gaiteros - Llaneros 81-67

Undefeated leader Gaiteros delivered the seventh consecutive victory. This time they beat bottom-ranked Llaneros (0-6) 81-67 in Maracaibo. Gaiteros players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) contributed with 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Colombian forward Yustin Llerena (195-2002) answered with 24 points and American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) added 4 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Llaneros. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gaiteros (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with a perfect record of 7 victories in a row. Llaneros at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Gaiteros will again play against bottom-ranked Llaneros (#14) in Caracas in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Llaneros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: Y.Llerena 24+2reb, H.Bompart 9+1reb+4ast, G.Natesan 8, J.Rodriguez 7+3reb, C.Rodriguez 6+4reb+2ast, A.Arias 5+9reb
Gaiteros: L.Duarte 16+6reb+5ast, M.Warren 16+6reb+1ast, J.Martinez 9+5reb, D.St.Hilaire 9+1reb+3ast, N.Carter 9+4reb+5ast, J.Gonzalez 8+2reb+1ast