SPB Round 10 (Regular Season): Piratas edge Spartans by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 10 in the SPB took place in La Guaira. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Spartans (5-2) to twelfth ranked Piratas (3-4) 91-90 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Spartans. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) fired 32 points and 7 assists for the winners. American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) chipped in 20 points. Piratas' coach Nestor Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Piratas moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras and Guaiqueries. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. They share it with Pioneros. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Spartans will play at home against Marinos and are hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Llaneros (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 77-66 loss to thirteenth ranked Toros (2-5) in Maracay. Worth to mention a great performance of American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Joe Hampton contributed with 8 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. point guard Yochuar Palacios (183-1985) replied with 17 points for Llaneros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Toros maintains thirteenth position with 2-5 record. Llaneros at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Toros will play against higher ranked Brillantes (#11) in Caracas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Llaneros will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Caracas between Piratas and Cocodrilos. Twelfth ranked Piratas (3-4) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Cocodrilos (3-5). Piratas managed to escape with a 2-point win 89-87 on Monday evening. Juan Suero scored 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Isaac Banks responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Piratas moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras and Guaiqueries. Loser Cocodrilos dropped to the eleventh position with five games lost. They share it with Brillantes. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 10 Trotamundos defeated Brillantes in La Asuncion 96-92.



Piratas - Spartans 91-90

The most exciting game of round 10 in the SPB took place in La Guaira. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Spartans (5-2) to twelfth ranked Piratas (3-4) 91-90 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Spartans. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) fired 32 points and 7 assists for the winners. American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) chipped in 20 points. Piratas' coach Nestor Garcia used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) produced 18 points and 7 rebounds and Nelson Palacios (192-1992) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Five Spartans players scored in double figures. Piratas moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras and Guaiqueries. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. They share it with Pioneros. Piratas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Spartans will play at home against Marinos and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Spartans: J.Perez 18+7reb+1ast, N.Palacios 17+2reb+4ast, E.Thomas 15+5reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 11+4reb+4ast, T.Efianayi 11+6reb, H.Cazorla 7+2reb+1ast
Piratas: J.Suero 32+3reb+7ast, R.James 20+4reb+1ast, D.Summers 14+8reb+1ast, K.Nino 7+1reb+1ast, A.Amundaray 7+1reb, J.Vargas 5+2reb+1ast

Brillantes - Trotamundos 92-96

Everything could happen in Caracas at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Trotamundos and 8th ranked Brillantes had identical 3-4 record. But Brillantes were not able to use a home court advantage and were defeated by the opponent from La Asuncion 96-92 on Saturday night. Trotamundos made 28-of-35 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. American guard Dallas Morgan (185-1998, college: CMU) scored 18 points to lead the charge for the winners and the former international swingman Jhornan Zamora (196-1989) chipped in 15 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Five Trotamundos and four Brillantes players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos (4-4) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Gladiadores. Loser Brillantes dropped to the eleventh position with five games lost. They share it with Cocodrilos. Trotamundos will meet at home league's second-placed Pioneros in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brillantes will play against Toros (#13) in Maracay and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: C.Lewis 19+6reb+3ast, M.Henry 19+5reb+5ast, L.Lopez 13+4reb+1ast, C.Paez 12+1reb+2ast, E.Gimenez 9+3reb+2ast, B.Duran 9+1ast
Trotamundos: D.Morgan 18+4reb+1ast, J.Zamora 15+4reb+3ast, T.Jones 14+5reb+2ast, D.Cubillan 13+3reb+3ast, F.Fuenmayor 10+3reb+5ast, H.Thompson 7+2reb+1ast

Toros - Llaneros 77-66

Bottom-ranked Llaneros (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 77-66 loss to thirteenth ranked Toros (2-5) in Maracay. They dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Llaneros' 30. Toros forced 21 Llaneros turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Joe Hampton (203-1998, college: LBSU) contributed with 8 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Yochuar Palacios (183-1985) replied with 17 points and point guard Humberto Bompart (183-1994) added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Llaneros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Toros maintains thirteenth position with 2-5 record. Llaneros at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Toros will play against higher ranked Brillantes (#11) in Caracas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Llaneros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: Y.Palacios 17+2reb+3ast, H.Bompart 12+6reb+2ast, D.Colon 11+1reb, A.Arias 8+9reb, D.Graham 6+7reb, C.Rodriguez 3+3reb+1ast
Toros: R.Brown 30+8reb+5ast, A.Blanco 11+3reb+1ast, J.Hampton 8+7reb+3ast, B.Guidi 8+2reb, L.Monte 5+1reb+1ast, A.Spruill 5+3reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Piratas 87-89

A very close game took place in Caracas between Piratas and Cocodrilos. Twelfth ranked Piratas (3-4) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Cocodrilos (3-5). Piratas managed to escape with a 2-point win 89-87 on Monday evening. Piratas made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) scored 28 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American-Jamaican guard Rashad James (185-1990, college: Iona) chipped in 26 points and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side American forward Isaac Banks (201-1994, college: ETSU) responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) scored 18 points. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Piratas moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras and Guaiqueries. Loser Cocodrilos dropped to the eleventh position with five games lost. They share it with Brillantes. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: I.Banks 24+9reb+1ast, K.Woods 18+4reb+3ast, F.Pirela 12+1reb+3ast, C.Garcia 9+3reb+3ast, E.Mijares 9+1reb+1ast, C.Donatlan 8+5reb+1ast
Piratas: J.Suero 28+7reb+8ast, R.James 26+3reb+2ast, K.Nino 12+5reb+1ast, D.Summers 7+3reb+1ast, J.Vargas 6+5reb, M.Rudas 6+3reb