SPB Round 9 (Regular Season): Pioneros are defeated by Frontinos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Pioneros (5-2) and fifth ranked Frontinos (5-3) was the most important one in the last round on Friday night. Pioneros were defeated by Frontinos in a tough game in Tachira 78-87. 26 personal fouls committed by Pioneros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and forward Jovanni Diaz (203-1990) chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Frontinos moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Marinos. Pioneros at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Ninth ranked Brillantes (3-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Trotamundos (3-4) 85-83 in the game for the seventh place. The former international forward Lenin Lopez (198-1991) nailed 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Jose Vargas accounted for 20 points and 5 rebounds. American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds for Trotamundos in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Brillantes moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Trotamundos. Trotamundos lost third consecutive game. Brillantes will again play against Trotamundos (#9) in La Asuncion in the next round. Trotamundos will have a break next round.
An interesting game took place in Caracas where higher ranked Gladiadores (4-4) were upset on its own court by tenth ranked Guaiqueries (3-4) 95-88 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gladiadores. The best player for the winners was AJ Banks who scored 21 points and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was Michael Carrera who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Defending champion Gladiadores keep the sixth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 9 Panteras won against Marinos on the opponent's court 83-73.



Gladiadores - Guaiqueries 88-95

An interesting game took place in Caracas where higher ranked Gladiadores (4-4) were upset on its own court by tenth ranked Guaiqueries (3-4) 95-88 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gladiadores. Guaiqueries made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard AJ Banks (188-1997, college: Wyoming) who scored 21 points and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Brazilian center Joao Franca (215-1998) chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds. Banks is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds and American-Mexican Durrell Summers (196-1989, college: Michigan St.) added 15 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Defending champion Gladiadores keep the sixth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: M.Carrera 26+9reb+3ast, M.Butler 15+1reb+5ast, D.Summers 15+6reb+3ast, C.Garcia 9+3reb, G.Vargas 8+3reb+4ast, C.Fulda 8+1reb
Guaiqueries: A.Banks 21+3reb+6ast, J.Franca 17+6reb, J.Blake 15+3reb+2ast, E.Martinez 14+3reb, J.Ascanio 12+6reb+3ast, T.White 8+4reb+3ast

Frontinos - Pioneros 87-78

The game between second ranked Pioneros (5-2) and fifth ranked Frontinos (5-3) was the most important one in the last round on Friday night. Pioneros were defeated by Frontinos in a tough game in Tachira 78-87. 26 personal fouls committed by Pioneros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Taylor Johns (197-1994, college: UC Riverside) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and forward Jovanni Diaz (203-1990) chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Frontinos moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Marinos. Pioneros at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: T.Bond 18+6reb+6ast, J.Allen 13+9reb+2ast, E.Montano 13+3reb, S.Wooten Jr. 11+1ast, A.Lianza 10+8reb+1ast, H.Guillent 7+1reb+4ast
Frontinos: T.Johns 17+11reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 16+3reb+2ast, A.Pruitt 11+6reb+2ast, J.Diaz 10+9reb+2ast, L.Bearden 10+1reb+2ast, C.Silva 8+5reb+1ast

Marinos - Panteras 73-83

There was an upset in Puerto La Cruz where 4th placed Marinos (5-3) were defeated by eleventh ranked Panteras (3-4) 83-73 on Friday. It was a great shooting night for Panteras especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. The best player for the winners was American Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) who scored 20 points. Jhonatan Acosta (197-1996) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Minnie is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Panteras players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) who recorded 22 points and the other American import swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively. Marinos' coach Claudio Jorquera rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Panteras moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Marinos keep the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Frontinos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Marinos: T.Farmer 22+3reb+2ast, W.Saunders 19+2reb+4ast, M.Bryson 12+6reb+1ast, J.Centeno 9+3reb, C.Centeno 5+3reb, S.Jones 4+5reb+1ast
Panteras: E.Minnie 20+2reb+3ast, J.Acosta 14+7reb+2ast, A.Indriago 14+5reb+3ast, S.Curry 12+7reb+1ast, B.Bridgeforth 9+2reb, E.Alcala 5+2reb+2ast

Brillantes - Trotamundos 85-83

Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Ninth ranked Brillantes (3-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Trotamundos (3-4) 85-83 in the game for the seventh place. Strangely Trotamundos outrebounded Brillantes 44-32 including 31 on the defensive glass. The former international forward Lenin Lopez (198-1991) nailed 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and the former international swingman Jose Vargas (195-1982) accounted for 20 points and 5 rebounds. American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import guard Dallas Morgan (185-1998, college: CMU) added 18 points respectively for Trotamundos in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Brillantes moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Trotamundos. Trotamundos lost third consecutive game. Brillantes will again play against Trotamundos (#9) in La Asuncion in the next round. Trotamundos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: D.Morgan 18+2reb+3ast, T.Jones 17+14reb+2ast, F.Fuenmayor 14+7reb+2ast, J.Zamora 12+5reb+3ast, N.Colmenares 9+8reb, D.Cubillan 8+4reb+7ast
Brillantes: L.Lopez 27+9reb+2ast, J.Vargas 20+5reb+1ast, C.Lewis 17+4reb+3ast, M.Henry 13+3reb+4ast, C.Paez 3+1reb+3ast, E.Gimenez 3+1reb+1ast