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

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Brillantes (6-8) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Trotamundos (10-5) in La Asuncion on Saturday. Trotamundos managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Panamanian power forward Eric Romero (210-1999) who scored 20 points. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. American center Tevin Glass (203-1994, college: ETSU) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Brillantes at the other side keep the eighth position with eight games lost. Trotamundos are looking forward to face league's leader Gaiteros in Maracaibo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Brillantes will have a break next round.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#3) and Pioneros (#7). Cocodrilos (11-3) won against visiting Pioneros (7-8) 99-87. Dominican Diego Colon (188-2001) orchestrated the victory by scoring 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. JD Miller contributed with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Brevin Galloway (188-1997, college: Clemson, agency: BIG) answered with 17 points and 5 rebounds for Pioneros. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Spartans. Pioneros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with eight games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Centauros (#12) in Margarita in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Pioneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Panteras.
Leader Gaiteros delivered the twelfth victory on Friday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Heroes (5-9) 84-80 in Caracas. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. It was a great evening for Jesse Zarzuela who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 assists. Romario Roque responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Gaiteros. Defending champion maintains first place with 12-1 record. Loser Heroes keep the ninth position with nine games lost. They share it with Diablos and Piratas. Gaiteros will meet Trotamundos (#4) in the next round. Heroes will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 23 Diablos defeated Marinos in Caracas 77-73.
The best stats of 23th round was 17 points and 10 rebounds by Nicolas Palma of Diablos.



Cocodrilos - Pioneros 99-87

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Cocodrilos (#3) and Pioneros (#7). Cocodrilos (11-3) won against visiting Pioneros (7-8) 99-87. Cocodrilos players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Pioneros were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Dominican Diego Colon (188-2001) orchestrated the victory by scoring 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward JD Miller (203-1996, college: TCU) contributed with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Brevin Galloway (188-1997, college: Clemson, agency: BIG) answered with 17 points and 5 rebounds and forward Jovanni Diaz (203-1990) added 10 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Pioneros. 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. Cocodrilos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Spartans. Pioneros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with eight games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Centauros (#12) in Margarita in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Pioneros' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Panteras.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: B.Galloway 17+5reb+1ast, D.Summers 11+6reb+2ast, J.Diaz 10+11reb, H.Guillent 10+2reb+8ast, S.Johendrys 10, E.Martinez 9+3reb+1ast
Cocodrilos: C.Diego 31+5reb+6ast, M.JD 16+7reb+5ast, B.Evert 15+3reb, M.Luis 11+8reb+7ast, B.Luis 9+6reb+2ast, E.Baez 7+2ast

Heroes - Gaiteros 80-84

Leader Gaiteros delivered the twelfth victory on Friday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Heroes (5-9) 84-80 in Caracas. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. It was a great evening for Colombian-Dominican point guard Jesse Zarzuela (188, college: Oregon) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 assists. American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) helped adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. Colombian forward Romario Roque (180-1998) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and Colombian forward Michaell Jackson (198-1987) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Five Heroes players scored in double figures. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Gaiteros. Defending champion maintains first place with 12-1 record. Loser Heroes keep the ninth position with nine games lost. They share it with Diablos and Piratas. Gaiteros will meet Trotamundos (#4) in the next round. Heroes will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Heroes: R.Roque 16+5reb+7ast, M.Jackson 14+6reb+2ast, M.Bell 14+5reb+1ast, D.Nesbitt 11+3reb, G.Curvelo 10+4reb+1ast, K.Caraballo 5+8reb
Gaiteros: Z.Jesse 22+2reb+5ast, A.Nation 16+2reb+1ast, C.Nahziah 15+6reb+1ast, M.Jesus 8+8reb+1ast, A.Albert 8+1reb+1ast, V.Javinger 8+5reb

Trotamundos - Brillantes 86-84

Eighth-ranked Brillantes (6-8) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Trotamundos (10-5) in La Asuncion on Saturday. Trotamundos managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Panamanian power forward Eric Romero (210-1999) who scored 20 points. Naturalized American Donta Smith (201-1983, college: SE Illinois JC) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. American center Tevin Glass (203-1994, college: ETSU) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import forward Von Cameron Davis (196-2001, college: Kent St., agency: JCK Sports Group) added 21 points respectively for the guests. Four Trotamundos and five Brillantes players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Trotamundos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Brillantes at the other side keep the eighth position with eight games lost. Trotamundos are looking forward to face league's leader Gaiteros in Maracaibo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Brillantes will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: T.Glass 23+11reb+1ast, V.Cameron Davis 21+3reb+3ast, P.Carlos 13+5reb+2ast, G.Jesuangel 10+4reb, L.Palacios 10+3reb, D.Wilson 5+1reb+3ast
Trotamundos: R.Eric 20+4reb+2ast, S.Donta 16+4reb+5ast, R.James 15+1reb+1ast, C.David 11+1reb+3ast, J.Zamora 8+4reb+2ast, K.DJ 6+10reb+2ast

Marinos - Diablos 73-77

There was an upset in Caracas where higher ranked Marinos (8-7) were defeated by tenth ranked Diablos (5-9) 77-73 on Saturday. It was a great evening for American swingman ArMond Davis (197-1995, college: UCSB) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 9 rebounds. Nicolas Palma (197-2004) helped adding 17 points and 10 rebounds. Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. International point guard Gregory Vargas (181-1986) responded with 14 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Tobin Carberry (192-1991, college: LIU Post) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Diablos moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Heroes and Piratas. Newly promoted Marinos keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Diablos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Marinos will play against Piratas (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Marinos: A.Perez 17+5reb+1ast, T.Carberry 14+7reb+2ast, G.Vargas 14+8reb+2ast, B.Jefferson 7+5reb+2ast, M.Dime 6+8reb+1ast, H.Cazorla 5+3reb+3ast
Diablos: A.Davis 19+9reb+1ast, N.Palma 17+10reb+1ast, G.Delwan 13+7reb+3ast, C.Campbell 11+2reb+2ast, G.Edry 9+3reb+9ast, G.Hernandez 4+2reb