SPB Round 22 (Regular Season): Marinos are defeated by Cocodrilos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Caracas between third ranked Marinos (9-6) and eighth ranked Cocodrilos (7-8) on Tuesday night. Marinos were crushed by Cocodrilos on the road 91-66. Cocodrilos dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Marinos' 38. American power forward Willie Reed (211-1990, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos maintains eighth position with 7-8 record. Marinos at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. Cocodrilos are again looking forward to face higher ranked Marinos (#3) in Puerto La Cruz in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Marinos will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Spartans (10-5) against twelfth ranked Guaiqueries (5-7) on Tuesday night. Visiting Spartans were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Porlamar 78-85. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Spartans. The former international forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996) notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Francisco Centeno supported him with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds by American power forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-1993, college: Toledo) did not help to save the game for Spartans. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to eleventh place. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with five games lost. Guaiqueries will again play against league's second-placed Spartans in Caracas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Spartans will have a break next round.
SPB top team - Gaiteros (15-1) added another victory to their record on Tuesday. This time they beat sixth ranked Pioneros (7-7) in Maracaibo 83-75. Micheal Warren fired 25 points for the winners. Jeff Allen produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gaiteros have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Pioneros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Gladiadores. Gaiteros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pioneros will play against Toros (#10) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 22 Panteras lost to Piratas on the opponent's court 79-94. Bottom-ranked Llaneros unfortunately lost to Toros in a home game 80-88.



Piratas - Panteras 94-79

Very expected game in La Guaira where 13th ranked Panteras (4-10) were defeated by ninth ranked Piratas (6-5) 94-79 on Tuesday. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American DaJuan Summers (203-1988, college: Georgetown) chipped in 18 points. Five Piratas players scored in double figures. American forward Sydney Curry (203-2000, college: GCU) produced 12 points and 8 rebounds and the former international swingman Enderson Alcala (195-2001) added 17 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Piratas maintains ninth position with 6-5 record. Panteras lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with ten games lost. Piratas will meet at home higher ranked Gladiadores (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Panteras will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: E.Alcala 17+3reb, S.Curry 12+8reb+1ast, E.Minnie 11+3reb+2ast, W.Gomez 9+2reb+2ast, J.Acosta 7+6reb+3ast, T.Williams 6+4reb
Piratas: D.Summers 18+4reb, J.Suero 18+11reb+5ast, R.James 13+3reb+1ast, G.Curvelo 11+3reb+1ast, E.Mijares 10+4reb+3ast, J.Vargas 7+2reb+2ast

Gaiteros - Pioneros 83-75

SPB top team - Gaiteros (15-1) added another victory to their record on Tuesday. This time they beat sixth ranked Pioneros (7-7) in Maracaibo 83-75. Gaiteros looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American swingman Micheal Warren (196-1995, college: CSUN) fired 25 points for the winners. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American power forward Jeff Allen (201-1987, college: Virginia Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) added 19 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gaiteros have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-1 record. Pioneros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Gladiadores. Gaiteros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pioneros will play against Toros (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: A.Castillo 19+4reb+2ast, J.Allen 15+10reb+1ast, E.Montano 11+6reb+2ast, T.Bond 9+5reb+5ast, S.Wooten Jr. 7+1reb+3ast, A.Acosta 6+4ast
Gaiteros: M.Warren 25+4reb+2ast, M.Bell 12+1reb, K.Caraballo 12+5reb+2ast, L.Duarte 11+8reb+5ast, N.Carter 9+3reb+4ast, M.Simon 8+10reb+5ast

Cocodrilos - Marinos 91-66

The most important game in the last round took place in Caracas between third ranked Marinos (9-6) and eighth ranked Cocodrilos (7-8) on Tuesday night. Marinos were crushed by Cocodrilos on the road 91-66. Cocodrilos dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Marinos' 38. American power forward Willie Reed (211-1990, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds and American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) scored 20 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos maintains eighth position with 7-8 record. Marinos at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. Cocodrilos are again looking forward to face higher ranked Marinos (#3) in Puerto La Cruz in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Marinos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Marinos: W.Saunders 20+2reb+3ast, L.Bethelmy 17+9reb+1ast, M.Bryson 10+3reb+1ast, S.Jones 6+7reb, J.Centeno 6+4reb+2ast, M.Sierralta 4+1reb
Cocodrilos: W.Reed 23+10reb, K.Woods 17+6reb+4ast, R.Roca 13+4reb+3ast, W.Cherry 10+2reb+5ast, E.Bernal 6+1reb, L.Betancourt 6+3reb+1ast

Llaneros - Toros 80-88

Rather predictable result in Caracas where tenth ranked Toros (6-9) defeated bottom-ranked Llaneros (2-13) 88-80 on Tuesday. Toros made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Toros especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 58.8 percentage. American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) fired 24 points for the winners. The other American import Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) produced 22 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Yochuar Palacios (183-1985) added 17 points and 7 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Four Llaneros players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toros maintains tenth position with 6-9 record. Llaneros lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. Toros will meet higher ranked Pioneros (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Llaneros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Graham 22+6reb+3ast, D.Colon 19+1reb+2ast, Y.Palacios 17+2reb+7ast, K.Urbina 11+2reb+2ast, C.Rodriguez 4+10reb+1ast, Y.Llerena 2+1reb
Toros: A.Spruill 24+4reb+3ast, R.Brown 20+7reb+4ast, J.Hampton 16+5reb+2ast, D.Garcia 9+6reb+3ast, B.Guidi 6+3reb+2ast, L.Palacios 4

Guaiqueries - Spartans 85-78

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Spartans (10-5) against twelfth ranked Guaiqueries (5-7) on Tuesday night. Visiting Spartans were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Porlamar 78-85. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Spartans. Guaiqueries players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Spartans' players. The former international forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996) notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and the former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-1985) supported him with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Even a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds by American power forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-1993, college: Toledo) did not help to save the game for Spartans. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) added 11 points and 6 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guaiqueries moved-up to eleventh place. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with five games lost. Guaiqueries will again play against league's second-placed Spartans in Caracas in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Spartans will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Spartans: S.Taylor Jr. 15+11reb+1ast, N.Palacios 14+2reb, H.Cazorla 12+2reb, Y.Sifontes 11+2reb+6ast, J.Rodriguez 9+5reb, T.Efianayi 8+6reb+1ast
Guaiqueries: J.Ascanio 20+6reb+4ast, F.Centeno 14+6reb+3ast, T.White 11+3reb+7ast, G.Correa 9+1reb+1ast, L.Valera 9+4reb+1ast, J.Anderson 8+5reb+6ast