SPB Round 30 (Regular Season): Leader Gaiteros lose to Pioneros

The Regular Season in SPB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 6 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Gaiteros (18-3) recorded its third loss in Caracas on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Pioneros (13-7) 83-79. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Pioneros made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) who scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. The former international Elian Centeno (200-2000) chipped in 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who recorded 27 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pioneros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-7 record having six points less than leader Gaiteros. Gaiteros at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#4) and Cocodrilos (#6). Spartans (12-8) won against visiting Cocodrilos (10-10) 75-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. It was a good game for American power forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-1993, college: Toledo) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds. Jassel Perez contributed with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international guard Luis Betancourt (183-2002) replied with 26 points and 9 rebounds for Cocodrilos. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Trotamundos. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the sixth position with ten games lost. Spartans' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Gladiadores.
The game in La Guaira was also quite interesting. Third ranked Marinos (12-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Piratas (9-8). Marinos defeated Piratas 91-81 on Monday. Wesley Saunders had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 assists to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Marlon Johnson with 27 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos maintains third position with 12-8 record having seven points less than leader Gaiteros, which they share with Trotamundos and Spartans. Loser Piratas dropped to the eighth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 30 Brillantes defeated Llaneros in Caracas 100-90. Frontinos were beaten by Trotamundos at home 75-78.



Piratas - Marinos 81-91

The game in La Guaira was also quite interesting. Third ranked Marinos (12-8) played at the court of 7th ranked Piratas (9-8). Marinos defeated Piratas 91-81 on Monday. American swingman Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Marinos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Marlon Johnson (208-1994, college: NMHU) with 27 points and Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos maintains third position with 12-8 record having seven points less than leader Gaiteros, which they share with Trotamundos and Spartans. Loser Piratas dropped to the eighth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Piratas: M.Johnson 27+4reb+2ast, R.James 18+3reb+2ast, J.Suero 17+9reb+2ast, E.Mijares 7+2reb+9ast, J.Vargas 7+5reb+2ast, E.Gonzalez 5+4reb
Marinos: W.Saunders 23+2reb+11ast, M.Bryson 21+6reb+2ast, M.Sierralta 13+1reb+2ast, T.Farmer 13+5reb, L.Bethelmy 11+11reb+3ast, J.Mejia 8+2reb

Pioneros - Gaiteros 83-79

Top ranked Gaiteros (18-3) recorded its third loss in Caracas on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Pioneros (13-7) 83-79. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Pioneros made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) who scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. The former international Elian Centeno (200-2000) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who recorded 27 points and 9 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) added 18 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pioneros have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-7 record having six points less than leader Gaiteros. Gaiteros at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: L.Duarte 27+9reb+3ast, N.Carter 18+3reb+3ast, M.Warren 12+3reb+1ast, K.Caraballo 10+8reb+3ast, D.St.Hilaire 6+3reb+1ast, M.Simon 2+2reb+2ast
Pioneros: A.Castillo 21+3reb+2ast, T.Bond 18+7reb+3ast, J.Allen 15+9reb+3ast, E.Centeno 14+14reb, M.Martinez 7+2reb+1ast, A.Acosta 3+2reb+1ast

Llaneros - Brillantes 90-100

There was no surprise in Caracas where 14th ranked Llaneros (4-16) were defeated by ninth ranked Brillantes (10-11) 100-90 on Monday. American forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) scored 25 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American-Dominican Gerardo Suero (196-1989, college: Albany) chipped in 25 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Dominican Diego Colon (188-2001) with 34 points (!!!) (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) and American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brillantes moved-up to seventh place. Loser Llaneros stay at the bottom position with 16 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 .
Top scorers:
Llaneros: D.Colon 34+2reb+1ast, K.Urbina 17+3reb+2ast, D.Graham 12+8reb+4ast, A.Arias 12+3reb, H.Bompart 4+1reb+1ast, Y.Llerena 4+1reb+1ast
Brillantes: M.Henry 25+4reb+4ast, G.Suero 25+6reb, L.Lopez 15+3reb+5ast, M.Diaz 10+2reb+1ast, D.Rondon 7+2reb+2ast, J.Vargas 5+1reb+2ast

Frontinos - Trotamundos 75-78

No shocking result in a game in Tachira where fifth ranked Trotamundos (12-8) edged 13th ranked Frontinos (5-14) 78-75 on Monday. Trotamundos outrebounded Frontinos 46-24 including a 31-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international center Nestor Colmenares (200-1987, college: Campbellsville) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Dallas Morgan (185-1998, college: CMU) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Trotamundos' coach Nestor Salazar used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was forward Jovanni Diaz (203-1990) with 13 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) scored 15 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Trotamundos moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Spartans. Frontinos lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. Trotamundos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Frontinos will play again against Trotamundos (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Frontinos: L.Bearden 15+1reb+4ast, J.Diaz 13+8reb+2ast, M.Zambrano 12+3reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 10+1reb+1ast, E.Rios 9, M.Buom 6+1reb+1ast
Trotamundos: D.Morgan 18+5reb+3ast, N.Colmenares 18+11reb+1ast, F.Fuenmayor 11+5reb+3ast, D.Cubillan 10+1reb+5ast, M.Ruiz 6+3reb+1ast, H.Thompson 4+4reb

Spartans - Cocodrilos 75-69

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#4) and Cocodrilos (#6). Spartans (12-8) won against visiting Cocodrilos (10-10) 75-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Spartans had a 37-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a good game for American power forward Steve Taylor Jr (206-1993, college: Toledo) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds. Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. The former international guard Luis Betancourt (183-2002) replied with 26 points and 9 rebounds and American Keyshawn Woods (192-1996, college: Ohio St., agency: Diamond Sports) added 11 points in the effort for Cocodrilos. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartans moved-up to third place, which they share with Marinos and Trotamundos. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the sixth position with ten games lost. Spartans' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Gladiadores.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: L.Betancourt 26+9reb+3ast, K.Woods 11+4reb+3ast, I.Banks 10+8reb, W.Cherry 9+5reb+3ast, E.Bernal 5+3reb, E.Hernandez 2+2reb+1ast
Spartans: J.Perez 20+10reb+1ast, S.Taylor Jr. 18+13reb+2ast, E.Thomas 16+8reb+1ast, Y.Sifontes 12+4reb+3ast, L.Almanza 4+3reb, H.Cazorla 3+6reb+8ast