SPB Round 32 (Regular Season): Cocodrilos are defeated by Marinos in a derby game

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 6 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Marinos (#6) and Cocodrilos (#2). Marinos (11-9) smashed visiting Cocodrilos (16-4) by 22 points 83-61. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Marinos dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Cocodrilos' 28. They outrebounded Cocodrilos 55-28 including a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward KJ McDaniels (197-1993, college: Clemson, agency: JCK Sports Group) who added 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) responded with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Marinos maintains sixth position with 11-9 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second place with four games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Spartans.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Third ranked host Spartans (15-5) defeated 4th ranked Trotamundos (13-8) 80-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trotamundos. The winners were led by Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Michael Carrera supported him with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Spartans' coach Manuel Berroteran allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 34 points (!!!) by American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) did not help to save the game for Trotamundos. Spartans maintains third position with 15-5 record behind leader Gaiteros. Trotamundos at the other side dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
A very close game took place in Porlamar between Heroes and Guaiqueries. Tenth ranked Heroes (7-12) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked Guaiqueries (13-7). Heroes managed to escape with a 3-point win 75-72 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. The best player for the winners was Jared Cunningham who scored 22 points and 4 steals. Heroes' coach Nelson Solorzano used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Juan Guerrero produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Heroes moved-up to ninth place. Loser Guaiqueries dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. Heroes will meet at home Piratas (#11) in the next round. Guaiqueries will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 32: Centauros lost to Pioneros on the opponent's court 76-81. Diablos managed to outperform Panteras in a home game 77-65. Brillantes recorded a loss to Guaiqueries on the road 85-75.



Pioneros - Centauros 81-76

Very expected game in Caracas where 12th ranked Centauros (4-15) were defeated by seventh ranked Pioneros (10-10) 81-76 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The best player for the winners was American Tim Bond (201-1995, college: EMU) who scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) chipped in 13 points and 5 assists. Bond is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Pioneros' coach Daniel Seoane used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican swingman Luis Martinez (196-2000) produced 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized Dominican Kelvin Pena (193-1980, college: Southeastern) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Four Centauros players scored in double figures. Pioneros maintains seventh position with 10-10 record. Loser Centauros keep the twelfth place with 15 games lost. Pioneros' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Spartans.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: G.Brevin 18, G.Heissler 13+4reb+5ast, B.Tim 13+5reb+5ast, E.Jarell 9+5reb+1ast, S.Morris 8+5reb, M.Edgar 6+3reb+1ast
Centauros: L.Martinez 16+6reb+5ast, M.Petkovic 13+5reb+1ast, K.Pena 13+5reb+4ast, M.Nguirane 11+3reb+2ast, G.Atencio 9+5reb+1ast, G.Antony 6+5reb+4ast

Spartans - Trotamundos 80-76

The game between Top Four teams took place in Caracas. Third ranked host Spartans (15-5) defeated 4th ranked Trotamundos (13-8) 80-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Spartans forced 22 Trotamundos turnovers. The winners were led by Dominican guard Juan Suero (196-1993) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) supported him with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Four Spartans players scored in double figures. Spartans' coach Manuel Berroteran allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 34 points (!!!) by American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) did not help to save the game for Trotamundos. Panamanian power forward Eric Romero (210-1999) added 5 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Spartans maintains third position with 15-5 record behind leader Gaiteros. Trotamundos at the other side dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Spartans' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Cocodrilos.
Top scorers:
Spartans: C.Michael 20+9reb+1ast, S.Juan 20+10reb+5ast, B.Richard 13+2reb+2ast, H.Adonys 12+5reb, J.Rodriguez 8+2reb+2ast, P.Nelson 5+1reb
Trotamundos: R.Ledo 34+4reb+2ast, J.Reese V 9+2reb+2ast, R.Anthony 8, F.Fuenmayor 7+4reb+1ast, Z.Jhornan 6+3reb+1ast, E.Romero 5+11reb+2ast

Guaiqueries - Heroes 72-75

A very close game took place in Porlamar between Heroes and Guaiqueries. Tenth ranked Heroes (7-12) got a very close victory on the road over higher ranked Guaiqueries (13-7). Heroes managed to escape with a 3-point win 75-72 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Heroes made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BIG) who scored 22 points and 4 steals. Guard Maximillion Bell (198-1999, college: Lane) chipped in 17 points. Heroes' coach Nelson Solorzano used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds and the former international Gendry Correa (190-1996) added 17 points respectively for the hosts. Heroes moved-up to ninth place. Loser Guaiqueries dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. Heroes will meet at home Piratas (#11) in the next round. Guaiqueries will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Heroes: C.Jared 22+2reb+1ast, B.Maximillion 17+4reb+3ast, J.Jason 8+9reb, N.David 8+1reb, C.Gregory 6+7reb+1ast, C.Kelvin 6+10reb
Guaiqueries: J.Guerrero 23+11reb+1ast, G.Correa 17+4reb+1ast, T.White 12+4reb, K.Urbina 7+2reb+3ast, M.Eliezer 5+1reb, G.Solano 5+3reb+1ast

Diablos - Panteras 77-65

Rather predictable result in Caracas where eleventh ranked Diablos (7-13) defeated bottom-ranked Panteras (1-18) 77-65 on Sunday. Diablos dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Panteras' 26. They outrebounded Panteras 42-29 including a 34-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Diablos looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) who had a triple-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). The other American import forward Mohamad Diallo (213, college: Rider) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. American swingman Tae Williams (201-2000, college: CSU, agency: JCK Sports Group) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds and Australian forward Solomon Kuol (201, college: Lake Erie) added 22 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Diablos moved-up to tenth place. Panteras lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Diablos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Brillantes.
Top scorers:
Diablos: M.Diallo 20+11reb, G.Delwan 15+11reb+11ast, B.Savinon 10+1reb, G.Edry 9+7reb+6ast, A.Davis 7+5reb+2ast, V.Javier 5+2reb
Panteras: K.Solomon 22+5reb+2ast, T.Williams 21+6reb+3ast, W.Gomez 8+1reb+1ast, N.Luiyer 3, D.Davonte 3, A.Indriago 2+1ast

Guaiqueries - Brillantes 85-75

Not a big story in a game in Porlamar where 8th ranked Brillantes (8-12) were defeated by fifth ranked Guaiqueries (13-7) 85-75 on Sunday. Guaiqueries made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Guaiqueries outrebounded Brillantes 37-26 including 26 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) who scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) produced 13 points and 4 assists and Luis Herrera (188-1988) added 11 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Brillantes players scored in double figures. Brillantes' coach Gustavo Garcia rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Guaiqueries moved-up to fourth place. Brillantes lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 12 games lost. Guaiqueries will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Diablos.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: W.Tyrone 23+5reb, G.Juan 15+5reb+2ast, S.Gelvis 11+6reb+4ast, C.Pedro 9+2reb+1ast, E.Montano 8+8reb+2ast, U.Kender 8+3reb+1ast
Brillantes: P.Jose 16+2reb+1ast, M.Lyons 13+2reb+4ast, P.Carlos 12+3reb+3ast, H.Luis 11+7reb+1ast, T.Glass 9+4reb+2ast, C.Silva 7+3reb

Marinos - Cocodrilos 83-61

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Caracas: Marinos (#6) and Cocodrilos (#2). Marinos (11-9) smashed visiting Cocodrilos (16-4) by 22 points 83-61. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Cocodrilos. Marinos dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Cocodrilos' 28. They outrebounded Cocodrilos 55-28 including a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Wesley Saunders (196-1993, college: Harvard) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward KJ McDaniels (197-1993, college: Clemson, agency: JCK Sports Group) who added 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) responded with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Dominican Diego Colon (188-2001) scored 18 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Marinos have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Marinos maintains sixth position with 11-9 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second place with four games lost. Marinos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas Spartans.
Top scorers:
Marinos: S.Wesley 22+5reb+4ast, M.KJ 18+9reb+1ast, P.Anthony 16+5reb, D.Malik 5+13reb+1ast, G.Elder 5+1reb+1ast, L.Lenin 4+4reb
Cocodrilos: D.Colon 18+1reb+1ast, J.Miller 11+6reb+1ast, L.Montero 11+7reb+5ast, E.Bernal 6+2reb, B.Elvis 6+1reb, L.Bethelmy 5+4reb+2ast