SPB Round 20 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Gaiteros win another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

SPB top team - Gaiteros (13-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Toros (5-9) in Maracay 92-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Toros. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Toros' 40. Gaiteros forced 20 Toros turnovers and outrebounded them 43-28 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Gaiteros looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Toros' players. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. Dominican forward Miguel Simon (203-1994, college: ASA CC) contributed with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Luis Palacios (201-2002) replied with 10 points and 5 rebounds for Toros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros maintains first position with 13-1 record. Toros at the other side keep the eleventh place with nine games lost. Gaiteros are looking forward to face Pioneros (#4) in Caracas in the next round. Toros will have a break next round.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#2) and Panteras (#13). Panteras were defeated at home 74-87. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Yohanner Sifontes who added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. American forward Sydney Curry (203-2000, college: GCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 18 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans (10-4) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position having just three points less than leader Gaiteros. Panteras lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Brillantes (#7) and Llaneros (#14). Brillantes (7-6) won against visiting Llaneros (2-11) 70-59. The winners were led by Myke Henry who scored that evening 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 14 points and 4 steals by Kender Urbina did not help to save the game for Llaneros. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brillantes have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Trotamundos. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.

In the last two games of round 20 Cocodrilos were beaten by Gladiadores on the road 85-78. Trotamundos won against Frontinos on its own court 69-52.



Panteras - Spartans 74-87

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#2) and Panteras (#13). Panteras were defeated at home 74-87. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and the former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) who added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. American forward Sydney Curry (203-2000, college: GCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 18 rebounds and his fellow American import Elijah Minnie (203-1994, college: EMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans (10-4) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position having just three points less than leader Gaiteros. Panteras lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Spartans: E.Thomas 26+5reb, Y.Sifontes 19+5reb+5ast, N.Palacios 14+2reb+1ast, S.Taylor Jr. 8+13reb+4ast, H.Cazorla 6+1reb+3ast, A.Morillo 6+3ast
Panteras: S.Curry 32+18reb+2ast, E.Minnie 18+5reb+3ast, T.Williams 15+4reb+2ast, W.Gomez 7+3reb+1ast, A.Indriago 2+1reb+4ast, L.Navarro 0

Brillantes - Llaneros 70-59

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Brillantes (#7) and Llaneros (#14). Brillantes (7-6) won against visiting Llaneros (2-11) 70-59. Brillantes held Llaneros to an opponent 24.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 41.7 percent accuracy of the winners and made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) who scored that evening 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Iraqi guard Demario Mayfield (196-1991, college: Angelo St.) supported him with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Four Brillantes players scored in double figures. Even 14 points and 4 steals by the former international point guard Kender Urbina (176-2004) did not help to save the game for Llaneros. Guard Edry Gonzalez (185-1998) added 11 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brillantes have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Trotamundos. Llaneros lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 11 games lost. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Llaneros.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: M.Henry 16+9reb+5ast, L.Williams 13+6reb, C.Lewis 12+2reb+3ast, D.Mayfield 12+6reb+3ast, M.Marriaga 4+1reb, D.Rondon 4+4reb+1ast
Llaneros: D.Colon 16+1reb+1ast, K.Urbina 14+4reb+3ast, E.Gonzalez 11+6reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 4+3reb, Y.Llerena 4+4reb, C.Rodriguez 3+8reb

Gladiadores - Cocodrilos 85-78

There was a surprise result when tenth ranked Gladiadores (6-7) beat higher ranked Cocodrilos (6-7) in Caracas 85-78 on Saturday. The winners were led by the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and international point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) supported him with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds by American power forward Willie Reed (211-1990, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Cocodrilos. International swingman Franger Pirela (187-2002) added 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Five Gladiadores and four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: P.Jackson 16+2reb+4ast, M.Carrera 14+11reb+3ast, G.Vargas 14+6reb+6ast, M.Butler 12+2reb+1ast, M.Dime 11+11reb, R.Rada 6+3reb+1ast
Cocodrilos: W.Reed 23+14reb, F.Pirela 16+11reb+5ast, E.Bernal 14+5reb+1ast, W.Cherry 11+3ast, R.Roca 8+1reb+1ast, I.Banks 6+6reb+4ast

Trotamundos - Frontinos 69-52

Very expected game when 9th ranked Frontinos (5-8) lost to fifth ranked Trotamundos (7-6) in La Asuncion 52-69 on Saturday. Trotamundos forced 21 Frontinos turnovers. The winners were led by American power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import Hollis Thompson (203-1991, college: Georgetown) supported him with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Even 13 points and 5 rebounds by forward Jovanni Diaz (203-1990) did not help to save the game for Frontinos. The former international center Miguel Bolivar (205-1992) added 6 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos maintains fifth position with 7-6 record, which they share with Brillantes. Frontinos lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with eight games lost. Trotamundos will again meet at home Frontinos (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Frontinos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: T.Jones 15+10reb+2ast, H.Thompson 11+10reb+2ast, J.Zamora 10, D.Cubillan 8+2reb+2ast, F.Fuenmayor 7+1reb+2ast, N.Colmenares 6+9reb+2ast
Frontinos: J.Diaz 13+5reb+1ast, M.Zambrano 7+5reb+1ast, L.Bearden 7+1reb+1ast, M.Bolivar 6+9reb, L.Palacios 6+2reb+3ast, A.Cabrera 6

Toros - Gaiteros 60-92

SPB top team - Gaiteros (13-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Toros (5-9) in Maracay 92-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Toros. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Toros' 40. Gaiteros forced 20 Toros turnovers and outrebounded them 43-28 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Gaiteros looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Toros' players. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. Dominican forward Miguel Simon (203-1994, college: ASA CC) contributed with 21 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Luis Palacios (201-2002) replied with 10 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Joe Hampton (203-1998, college: LBSU) added 6 points and 5 assists in the effort for Toros. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros maintains first position with 13-1 record. Toros at the other side keep the eleventh place with nine games lost. Gaiteros are looking forward to face Pioneros (#4) in Caracas in the next round. Toros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: M.Simon 21+8reb+2ast, L.Duarte 17+7reb+9ast, M.Warren 10+1reb+3ast, N.Carter 9+3reb+4ast, J.Gonzalez 7+3reb, E.Cappare 7+6reb
Toros: J.Zapata 13+1reb, L.Palacios 10+5reb, B.Guidi 8+3reb+1ast, R.Gonzalez 6+2reb, B.Barrios 6+2reb, J.Hampton 6+3reb+5ast