SPB Round 34 (Regular Season): Top-ranked Gaiteros win another game

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.

SPB top team - Gaiteros (18-2) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Piratas (6-14) in Maracaibo 98-68. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Piratas' 38. They outrebounded Piratas 40-27 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gaiteros looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording 29 points (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) contributed with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American forward John Hugley IV (206-2001, college: Duquesne) replied with 23 points for Piratas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-2 record. Piratas lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 14 games lost. Gaiteros are looking forward to face Spartans (#3) in Caracas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Piratas will have a break next round.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Marinos (#6) and Heroes (#9). Heroes were defeated at home 80-84 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. American forward KJ McDaniels (197-1993, college: Clemson, agency: JCK Sports Group) scored 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Malik Dime chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!) during the contest. At the losing side Bahamas David Nesbitt (205-1991, college: St.Thomas, FL) responded with 19 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Marinos have a solid four-game winning streak. Newly promoted Marinos maintains sixth position with 12-9 record. Heroes at the other side keep the ninth place with 13 games lost. Marinos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas .
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#7) and Diablos (#10). Diablos were defeated at home 78-85 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Heissler Guillent notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by ArMond Davis did not help to save the game for Diablos. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pioneros have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 12-10 record. Loser Diablos keep the tenth 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 .

In the last game of round 34 Guaiqueries beat Centauros on the road 71-67.



Centauros - Guaiqueries 67-71

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Guaiqueries (14-7) beat 12th ranked Centauros (4-17) in Margarita 71-67 on Wednesday. Strangely Centauros outrebounded Guaiqueries 46-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. Dominican Juan Guerrero (203-1993) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Dominican point guard Gelvis Solano (185-1994, college: Merrimack) supported him with 18 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds by Senegalese-Spanish center Maodo Nguirane (210-1993) did not help to save the game for Centauros. Panamanian Gil Atencio (202-1996, college: St.Clair) added 17 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Four Centauros players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Guaiqueries moved-up to fourth place. Centauros lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Guaiqueries will meet bottom-ranked Panteras (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Centauros will play against Diablos in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Centauros: M.Nguirane 20+15reb+1ast, G.Atencio 17+6reb+2ast, L.Martinez 11+8reb+2ast, K.Pena 10+8reb+4ast, Y.Llerena 4+4reb+1ast, L.Luis 3
Guaiqueries: G.Juan 20+16reb, S.Gelvis 18+3reb+5ast, W.Tyrone 13+1reb, E.Montano 7+1reb, B.Jose 5+2reb+1ast, C.Gendry 4+2reb+2ast

Heroes - Marinos 80-84

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Caracas: Marinos (#6) and Heroes (#9). Heroes were defeated at home 80-84 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Heroes. Marinos players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American forward KJ McDaniels (197-1993, college: Clemson, agency: JCK Sports Group) scored 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Senegalese-American center Malik Dime (206-1992, college: Washington, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!) during the contest. At the losing side Bahamas David Nesbitt (205-1991, college: St.Thomas, FL) responded with 19 points and American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BIG) scored 15 points. Four Heroes players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Marinos have a solid four-game winning streak. Newly promoted Marinos maintains sixth position with 12-9 record. Heroes at the other side keep the ninth place with 13 games lost. Marinos' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Caracas .
Top scorers:
Heroes: D.Nesbitt 19+3reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 15+1reb+1ast, H.Miller 14+1reb+1ast, Y.Montero 10+2ast, G.Jose 9+1ast, G.Curvelo 6+8reb+2ast
Marinos: M.KJ 26+8reb+4ast, D.Malik 19+8reb+2ast, B.Michael 10+2reb, S.Wesley 7+1reb+4ast, V.Gregory 7+4reb+6ast, P.Anthony 7+3reb

Diablos - Pioneros 78-85

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Caracas: Pioneros (#7) and Diablos (#10). Diablos were defeated at home 78-85 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The former international point guard Heissler Guillent (186-1986) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and American forward Jarell Eddie (201-1991, college: Virginia Tech) supported him with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Pioneros players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 6 rebounds by American swingman ArMond Davis (197-1995, college: UCSB) did not help to save the game for Diablos. His fellow American import forward Delwan Graham (200-1988, college: Jacksonville, agency: Interperformances) added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Pioneros have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 12-10 record. Loser Diablos keep the tenth 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 .
Top scorers:
Diablos: D.ArMond 24+6reb+2ast, D.Graham 19+8reb+4ast, E.Gonzalez 11+5reb+11ast, P.Nicolas 9+9reb, S.Bryan 7+5reb+5ast, L.Monte 3+2reb+1ast
Pioneros: G.Heissler 19+6reb+10ast, G.Brevin 16+1reb+1ast, E.Jarell 13+7reb+1ast, J.Salazar 12+7reb, B.Tim 10+2reb+5ast, K.Kelby 7+11reb

Gaiteros - Piratas 98-68

SPB top team - Gaiteros (18-2) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Piratas (6-14) in Maracaibo 98-68. Gaiteros dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Piratas' 38. They outrebounded Piratas 40-27 including a 34-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gaiteros looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording 29 points (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) contributed with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American forward John Hugley IV (206-2001, college: Duquesne) replied with 23 points and his fellow American import forward Emmanuel Egbuta (201-1996, college: Tennessee St., agency: BIG) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks in the effort for Piratas. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gaiteros have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-2 record. Piratas lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 14 games lost. Gaiteros are looking forward to face Spartans (#3) in Caracas in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Piratas will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Piratas: H.IV John 23+4reb, K.Nino 15+3ast, E.Egbuta 11+6reb+2ast, H.Ernesto 7+4reb, Y.Colome 7+3reb+3ast, A.Enderson 5+2reb
Gaiteros: C.Nahziah 29+4reb+2ast, Z.Jesse 18+4reb+4ast, S.Miguel 14+6reb+3ast, D.Luis 8+11reb+8ast, V.Javinger 7+4reb+3ast, B.Angel 7+1reb+5ast