SPB Round 4 (Regular Season): Cocodrilos lose to Guaiqueries

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the SPB and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Round 4 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Cocodrilos (2-1). They were edged by sixth ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) 82-80 on Wednesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 9 rebounds and Bahamas center Tavario Miller (203-1994, college: Texas A&M) who added 19 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward JD Miller (203-1996, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Guaiqueries moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Heroes (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to top-ranked Spartans (3-0) 106-104. 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 26 points and 10 rebounds and Richard Bautista supported him with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 19 points by guard Maximillion Bell (198-1999, college: Lane) did not help to save the game for Heroes. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Spartans have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Marinos. Heroes at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Piratas. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Piratas (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to top-ranked Marinos (3-0) 84-73 on Wednesday evening. Gregory Vargas fired 11 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Emmanuel Egbuta produced 18 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Spartans. Loser Piratas still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Heroes. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Piratas will play against Diablos (#11) and hope to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 4 Trotamundos lost to undefeated Brillantes on the opponent's court 116-124.



Heroes - Spartans 104-106

Bottom-ranked Heroes (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to top-ranked Spartans (3-0) 106-104. Spartans forced 19 Heroes turnovers. They shot the lights out from three nailing 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. Heroes were plagued by 32 personal fouls down the stretch. 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 26 points and 10 rebounds and Dominican point guard Richard Bautista (185-1997) supported him with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 19 points by guard Maximillion Bell (198-1999, college: Lane) did not help to save the game for Heroes. Colombian forward Michaell Jackson (198-1987) added 18 points for lost side. Four Spartans and five Heroes players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Spartans have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Marinos. Heroes at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Piratas. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Heroes: M.Bell 19+3reb+2ast, M.Jackson 18+3reb+3ast, J.Cunningham 17+2reb+3ast, J.Jitoboh 14+9reb+1ast, D.Nesbitt 12+6reb+2ast, G.Jose 10+2reb+5ast
Spartans: C.Michael 26+10reb+1ast, B.Richard 24+7reb+6ast, S.Andre 19+1ast, S.Juan 15+9reb+2ast, J.Rodriguez 8+4reb+1ast, L.Almanza 8+4reb+1ast

Brillantes - Trotamundos 124-116

Rather expected game in Caracas where 8th ranked Trotamundos (1-2) were defeated by top-ranked Brillantes (2-0) 124-116 on Wednesday. Brillantes made 31-of-40 free shots (77.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Glen Rice Jr. (198-1991, college: Georgia Tech) fired 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Forward Von Cameron Davis (196-2001, college: Kent St., agency: JCK Sports Group) chipped in a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) produced 27 points and guard James Reese V (193-1998, college: S.Carolina) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists respectively for lost side. Four Brillantes and five Trotamundos players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brillantes moved-up to third place, which they share with Gaiteros. Loser Trotamundos keep the eighth position with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: R.Ledo 27+4reb+2ast, E.Romero 15+8reb, D.Smith 15+3reb+4ast, Z.Jhornan 14+4reb+3ast, J.Reese V 12+5reb+9ast, R.Luis 11+4reb+1ast
Brillantes: R.Glen 35+5reb+7ast, C.Von 26+11reb+3ast, W.Duane 17+5reb+7ast, L.Herrera 15+2reb+2ast, B.Vin 8+4reb+1ast, A.Cabrera 7+2reb

Piratas - Marinos 73-84

Bottom-ranked Piratas (0-3) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to top-ranked Marinos (3-0) 84-73 on Wednesday evening. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) fired 11 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international Carlos Fulda (186-2002) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. Five Marinos players scored in double figures. American forward Emmanuel Egbuta (201-1996, college: Tennessee St.) produced 18 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Ricky Tarrant (188-1993, college: Memphis) added 11 points and 10 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Spartans. Loser Piratas still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Heroes. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Piratas will play against Diablos (#11) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Piratas: E.Egbuta 18+6reb+2ast, R.Tarrant 11+2reb+10ast, A.Trice 11+7reb, A.Amundaray 9+4reb, H.Bompart 7+7reb, E.Gimenez 5+8reb+1ast
Marinos: A.Alphonso 21+6reb+1ast, F.Carlos 19+9reb+1ast, S.Diamond 11+1reb+1ast, D.Malik 11+9reb, J.Bryan 11+1reb, V.Gregory 11+9reb+9ast

Guaiqueries - Cocodrilos 82-80

Round 4 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Cocodrilos (2-1). They were edged by sixth ranked Guaiqueries (2-1) 82-80 on Wednesday night. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Guaiqueries made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 9 rebounds and Bahamas center Tavario Miller (203-1994, college: Texas A&M) who added 19 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Miller is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American forward JD Miller (203-1996, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds and Canadian guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno (188-1999, college: CBU) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Guaiqueries moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Cocodrilos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: D.Colon 20+1reb+1ast, B.Tchoukuiegno 12+8reb+2ast, J.Miller 12+11reb, R.Roca 10, L.Montero 9+1reb+3ast, B.Elvis 8+1ast
Guaiqueries: G.Juan 26+9reb+1ast, M.Tavario 19+7reb+1ast, E.Montano 11+3reb+1ast, W.Tyrone 8+3reb+2ast, C.Pedro 8+2reb+2ast, U.Kender 7+3reb+9ast