SPB 2026 - Nestor Salazar replaces Silvio Santander as head coach of Marinos

Venezuelan Nestor Salazar a former Senior National Team head coach with over 800 victories and 1.400 games as head coach in the country's top pro basketball league, has taken over as Marinos de Oriente's head coach, replacing Argentinian Silvio Santander, as the team currently stands at fifth place in the regular season standings of Superliga Profesional de Balonceso (SPB) 2026, with an 8-6 record.

"After Silvio Santander resigned, we decided to act immediately and we considered that the best option to turn around our current situation was to hire Nestor Salazar . We're talking about a very experienced coach, a winning career and profound knowledge of Venezuelan basketball and its players. Besites, the schedule is very demmanding and doesn't allow room for improvisation" said Gianni Patino , GM of Marinos, through a press release.

Salazar has won a total of 6 league titles, including 4 with Cocodrilos de Caracas and two more with Trotamundos de Carabobo. He's been named Coach of the Year three times (2006, 2008 and 2010). He led Venezuela's Senior NT to the 2006 FIBA World Cup played in Japan, by earning a Bronze medal in the 2005 FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifiers, played in the Dominican Republic.