SPB Round 31 (Regular Season): Gaiteros keep a leadership position

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Gaiteros as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Gaiteros defeated 9th ranked Diablos in Maracaibo 84-76. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Gaiteros made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 assists. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) contributed with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. American swingman ArMond Davis (197-1995, college: UCSB) answered with 18 points and 7 assists for Diablos. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Diablos lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 13 games lost. Diablos will play next round against Panteras trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas - Panteras. Gaiteros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#3) and Brillantes (#8). Spartans (14-5) won against visiting Brillantes (8-11) 88-84. It was a great evening for Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds. Michael Carrera helped adding 10 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American center Tevin Glass (203-1994, college: ETSU) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Spartans maintains third place with 14-5 record having just one point less than leader Gaiteros. Brillantes lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Spartans will play against Trotamundos (#4) in La Asuncion in the next round. Brillantes will play on the road against Guaiqueries (#5) in Porlamar and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game between 9th ranked Piratas (6-12) and fifth ranked Trotamundos (13-7) in La Guaira on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from La Asuncion outscored Piratas 101-67. It was a quality performance for James Reese V who led the winners and scored 32 points. Jordan Hamilton came up with 13 points and 4 assists for Piratas in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos moved-up to fourth place. Piratas at the other side keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Heroes. Trotamundos will meet higher ranked Spartans (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Piratas will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 31 Cocodrilos smashed Panteras on the road 98-72. Pioneros won against Heroes on its own court 78-68.



Panteras - Cocodrilos 72-98

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Cocodrilos (16-3) crushed bottom-ranked Panteras (1-17) in Caracas 98-72 on Thursday. Cocodrilos looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Dominican Diego Colon (188-2001) who led the winners and scored 30 points. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) accounted for 17 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winning side. The former international center Luis Carrillo (206-1993) came up with 7 points and 12 rebounds and American swingman Tae Williams (201-2000, college: CSU, agency: JCK Sports Group) added 8 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Panteras in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cocodrilos have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain second place with 16-3 record having just one point less than leader Gaiteros. Panteras lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 17 lost games. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Marinos.
Top scorers:
Panteras: A.Indriago 14+2ast, W.Gomez 13+2reb+4ast, K.Solomon 11+1reb+1ast, C.Jordan 10+1reb, T.Williams 8+8reb+3ast, L.Carrillo 7+12reb+1ast
Cocodrilos: C.Diego 30+4reb+3ast, M.Luis 17+11reb+7ast, M.JD 13+2reb+4ast, G.Ruben 8+2ast, J.Gomez 7+1reb, B.Luis 7+7reb+4ast

Pioneros - Heroes 78-68

Rather expected game when 10th ranked Heroes (6-12) lost to seventh ranked Pioneros (9-10) in Caracas 68-78 on Thursday. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech) who led the winners and scored 30 points and 8 rebounds. The former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) accounted for 7 points and 11 assists for the winning side. American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BIG) came up with 22 points and Colombian forward Romario Roque (180-1998) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Heroes in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Pioneros maintains seventh place with 9-10 record. Heroes at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Piratas. Pioneros will meet at home Centauros (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Heroes will play against Guaiqueries in Porlamar and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Heroes: J.Cunningham 22+3reb+2ast, M.Bell 13+7reb+1ast, R.Roque 12+6reb+4ast, D.Nesbitt 8+1reb+1ast, J.Jitoboh 5+2reb, G.Curvelo 3+3reb+1ast
Pioneros: E.Jarell 30+8reb+2ast, G.Brevin 13+3reb+1ast, M.Edgar 9+3reb, G.Heissler 7+4reb+11ast, J.Salazar 6+6reb+2ast, S.Morris 3+2reb

Piratas - Trotamundos 67-101

The game between 9th ranked Piratas (6-12) and fifth ranked Trotamundos (13-7) in La Guaira on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from La Asuncion outscored Piratas 101-67. Trotamundos had a 32-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a quality performance for American guard James Reese V (193-1998, college: S.Carolina) who led the winners and scored 32 points. The former international power forward Fernando Fuenmayor (201-2000) accounted for 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Five Trotamundos players scored in double figures. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) came up with 13 points and 4 assists and Dominican Yeison Colome (190-1996) added 14 points respectively for Piratas in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Trotamundos moved-up to fourth place. Piratas at the other side keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Heroes. Trotamundos will meet higher ranked Spartans (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Piratas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Piratas: Y.Colome 14+2reb+2ast, J.Hamilton 13+4reb+4ast, E.Egbuta 8+8reb, H.IV John 8+6reb+2ast, B.Daniel 7+3reb, H.Bompart 7+1reb+1ast
Trotamundos: R.James 32+3reb+3ast, F.Fernando 19+8reb+2ast, R.Eric 12+6reb+1ast, J.Zamora 12+4reb+3ast, L.Ricky 10+9reb+7ast, A.Reyes 8+2ast

Gaiteros - Diablos 84-76

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Gaiteros as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Gaiteros defeated 9th ranked Diablos in Maracaibo 84-76. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Gaiteros made 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 assists. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) contributed with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. American swingman ArMond Davis (197-1995, college: UCSB) answered with 18 points and 7 assists and Mexican power forward Gilberto Hernandez (201-1997) added 13 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Diablos. Four Diablos players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Diablos lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 13 games lost. Diablos will play next round against Panteras trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas - Panteras. Gaiteros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Diablos: D.ArMond 18+4reb+7ast, H.Gilberto 13+8reb+1ast, D.Mohamad 12+1reb, S.Bryan 10+5reb+1ast, D.Graham 10+6reb+5ast, E.Gonzalez 8+4reb+4ast
Gaiteros: C.Nahziah 20+3reb+7ast, Z.Jesse 16+1reb+2ast, D.Luis 13+6reb+4ast, B.Angel 8+1reb+3ast, S.Miguel 7+6reb, M.Jesus 6+7reb+1ast

Spartans - Brillantes 88-84

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Spartans (#3) and Brillantes (#8). Spartans (14-5) won against visiting Brillantes (8-11) 88-84. It was a great evening for Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) helped adding 10 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American center Tevin Glass (203-1994, college: ETSU) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Luis Herrera (188-1988) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Spartans and four Brillantes players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Spartans maintains third place with 14-5 record having just one point less than leader Gaiteros. Brillantes lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. Spartans will play against Trotamundos (#4) in La Asuncion in the next round. Brillantes will play on the road against Guaiqueries (#5) in Porlamar and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: H.Luis 15+7reb, T.Glass 15+9reb+2ast, M.Henry 12+4reb+1ast, P.Carlos 11+4reb+4ast, C.Silva 8+1ast, M.Lyons 8+1ast
Spartans: S.Juan 17+8reb+3ast, H.Adonys 14+4reb+2ast, P.Nelson 13+3reb+2ast, G.Cesar 13+2ast, C.Michael 10+7reb+3ast, S.Jose 8+3reb+3ast