SPB Round 23 (Regular Season): Trotamundos edge Brillantes by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 23 in the SPB took place in La Asuncion. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Brillantes (8-8) to fourth ranked Trotamundos (10-6) 85-82 on Thursday evening. Trotamundos outrebounded Brillantes 42-28 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard David Cubillan (181-1987, college: Marquette) who scored 25 points and 5 assists. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. American-Dominican Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) produced 24 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Marinos and Spartans. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Spartans (10-6) against eleventh ranked Guaiqueries (6-7) on Wednesday night. Visiting Spartans were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Porlamar 80-87. The former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-1985) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points. AJ Banks contributed with 18 points for the winners. Guaiqueries' coach Yonaicker Ecker allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) answered with 20 points for Spartans. Guaiqueries moved-up to tenth place. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with six games lost. They share it with Marinos and Trotamundos. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Spartans will play at home against Piratas and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Caracas was also quite interesting. Third ranked Marinos (10-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Cocodrilos (7-9). Marinos managed to secure a 5-point victory 84-79 on Wednesday. It was a great evening for Wesley Saunders who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Franger Pirela responded with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Cocodrilos' coach Alfredo Madrid tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Marinos moved-up to second place, which they share with Trotamundos and Spartans. Loser Cocodrilos keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Gladiadores.

Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Brillantes were defeated by Trotamundos in La Asuncion 85-79. Piratas lost to defending champion Gladiadores at home 103-108. Toros lost to Pioneros on the opponent's court 65-77.
The best stats of 23th round was 23 points and 7 rebounds by Tim Bond of Pioneros.



Guaiqueries - Spartans 87-80

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Spartans (10-6) against eleventh ranked Guaiqueries (6-7) on Wednesday night. Visiting Spartans were defeated by Guaiqueries in a tough game in Porlamar 80-87. The former international power forward Francisco Centeno (203-1985) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points. American guard AJ Banks (188-1997, college: Wyoming) contributed with 18 points for the winners. Banks is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Guaiqueries' coach Yonaicker Ecker allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) answered with 20 points and Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) added 16 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Spartans. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Guaiqueries moved-up to tenth place. Spartans at the other side keep the second position with six games lost. They share it with Marinos and Trotamundos. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Spartans will play at home against Piratas and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: A.Banks 18+1reb+1ast, F.Centeno 14+4reb+3ast, J.Ascanio 13+4reb+1ast, E.Martinez 12+3reb, T.White 9+3reb+1ast, J.Anderson 8+5reb+5ast
Spartans: Y.Sifontes 20+4reb+3ast, E.Thomas 16+7reb+1ast, N.Palacios 11, J.Rodriguez 11+2reb+1ast, L.Almanza 8+3reb, T.Efianayi 7+1reb

Trotamundos - Brillantes 85-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Brillantes' (8-8) road loss to fourth ranked Trotamundos (10-6) 79-85 on Wednesday. Trotamundos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Orlando Coleman (196-1992, college: Texas Southern) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 5 assists. The former international point guard David Cubillan (181-1987, college: Marquette) helped adding 16 points and 7 assists. American forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) responded with 23 points and 6 rebounds and American-Iraqi guard Demario Mayfield (196-1991, college: Angelo St.) scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Trotamundos. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Marinos and Spartans. Loser Brillantes dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: O.Coleman 21+2reb+5ast, J.Zamora 17+4reb+5ast, D.Cubillan 16+3reb+7ast, N.Colmenares 10+4reb+1ast, T.Jones 8+7reb+2ast, D.Smith 4+3reb
Brillantes: M.Henry 23+6reb+3ast, D.Mayfield 18+7reb+4ast, L.Lopez 12+5reb+3ast, E.Gimenez 11+2reb+3ast, M.Diaz 6+8reb, J.Vargas 5+3reb+1ast

Cocodrilos - Marinos 79-84

The game in Caracas was also quite interesting. Third ranked Marinos (10-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Cocodrilos (7-9). Marinos managed to secure a 5-point victory 84-79 on Wednesday. It was a great evening for American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international forward Luis Bethelmy (200-1986) helped adding 15 points and 12 rebounds. International swingman Franger Pirela (187-2002) responded with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and American point guard Will Cherry (185-1991, college: Montana, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 12 points and 6 assists. Four Marinos and five Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Cocodrilos' coach Alfredo Madrid tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Marinos moved-up to second place, which they share with Trotamundos and Spartans. Loser Cocodrilos keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Gladiadores.
Top scorers:
Marinos: W.Saunders 22+10reb+6ast, M.Bryson 20+5reb+2ast, L.Bethelmy 15+12reb+2ast, S.Jones 11+6reb+1ast, M.Sierralta 8+2reb, J.Centeno 8+1reb+3ast
Cocodrilos: R.Roca 15+4reb+2ast, F.Pirela 14+9reb+7ast, W.Reed 13+6reb, W.Cherry 12+4reb+6ast, K.Woods 11+3reb+2ast, I.Banks 5+3reb+2ast

Piratas - Gladiadores 103-108

No shocking result in a game in La Guaira where seventh ranked Gladiadores (8-7) defeated 9th ranked Piratas (6-6) 108-103 on Thursday. Gladiadores dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Piratas' 38. Gladiadores looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Piratas' players. It was a great evening for American forward Feron Hunt (203-1999, college: SMU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) helped adding 11 points, 8 rebounds, 14 assists and 4 steals. Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Colombian Soren De Luque (200-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Gladiadores. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Pioneros. Loser Piratas keep the ninth position with six games lost. Gladiadores' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Gladiadores: D.Summers 26+5reb, F.Hunt 24+11reb, M.Dime 14+12reb+1ast, G.Vargas 11+8reb+14ast, J.Lopez 10+2reb+1ast, O.Caraballo 7+3reb
Piratas: J.Suero 29+11reb+4ast, R.James 21+5reb+2ast, S.De Luque 18+10reb+1ast, K.Nino 12+3reb, A.Amundaray 6, E.Mijares 5+2reb+3ast

Trotamundos - Brillantes 85-82

The most exciting game of round 23 in the SPB took place in La Asuncion. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Brillantes (8-8) to fourth ranked Trotamundos (10-6) 85-82 on Thursday evening. Trotamundos outrebounded Brillantes 42-28 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was the former international point guard David Cubillan (181-1987, college: Marquette) who scored 25 points and 5 assists. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. American-Dominican Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) produced 24 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Marinos and Spartans. Brillantes at the other side dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: D.Cubillan 25+4reb+5ast, H.Thompson 12+6reb+2ast, D.Smith 12+6reb+4ast, J.Zamora 11+3reb+2ast, O.Coleman 9+2reb+3ast, N.Colmenares 7+7reb+1ast
Brillantes: G.Suero 24+9reb+1ast, M.Henry 15+7reb+3ast, L.Lopez 13+5ast, D.Mayfield 11+4reb+6ast, M.Diaz 8+2reb+1ast, J.Vargas 7+3reb+3ast

Pioneros - Toros 77-65

Very expected game in Caracas where 11th ranked Toros (6-10) were defeated by seventh ranked Pioneros (8-7) 77-65 on Thursday. Pioneros made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Toros turnovers. It was a great evening for American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 7 rebounds. Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) helped adding 18 points. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Pioneros players scored in double figures. American Rakim Brown (198-1991, college: Humboldt St.) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pioneros moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Gladiadores. Loser Toros keep the eleventh position with ten games lost. Pioneros' 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:
Pioneros: T.Bond 23+7reb+3ast, A.Castillo 18+3reb+3ast, E.Centeno 10+6reb+1ast, J.Allen 10+4reb+2ast, E.Montano 9+4reb+3ast, S.Tineo 3+1reb
Toros: R.Brown 17+5reb, A.Spruill 12+6reb+2ast, L.Monte 8+4reb, A.Blanco 8+5reb+5ast, J.Hampton 6+6reb, D.Garcia 5+1reb+1ast