SPB Round 35 (Regular Season): Brillantes defeat Cocodrilos in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 35 in the SPB took place in Caracas. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Cocodrilos (17-5) to eighth ranked Brillantes (10-12) 71-69 on Friday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for guard Elias King (203-2000, college: MTSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) helped adding 21 points and 5 rebounds. Forward JD Miller (203-1996, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Cocodrilos' coach Alfredo Madrid rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Brillantes maintains eighth place with 10-12 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second position with five games lost. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Pioneros.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Maracaibo. First ranked host Gaiteros (19-2) defeated 3rd placed Spartans (15-8) 87-81. It was an exceptional evening for swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Jesse Zarzuela accounted for 21 points and 5 steals. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) came up with 16 points and 9 rebounds for Spartans in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gaiteros have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-2 record. Spartans lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with Trotamundos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
13th ranked Panteras (1-20) were outscored at home by fourth ranked Guaiqueries (15-7) with the biggest margin this round 99-67 on Friday night. The best player for the winners was Tyrone White who scored 21 points and 4 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Solomon Kuol produced 14 points for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Panteras lost seventeenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. Guaiqueries will meet at home Marinos (#6) in the next round. Panteras will play against Piratas (#11) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 35 Trotamundos destroyed Heroes on the opponent's court 93-71. Diablos managed to outperform Centauros in a home game 87-75.



Brillantes - Cocodrilos 71-69

The most exciting game of round 35 in the SPB took place in Caracas. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Cocodrilos (17-5) to eighth ranked Brillantes (10-12) 71-69 on Friday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for guard Elias King (203-2000, college: MTSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Myke Henry (198-1992, college: DePaul) helped adding 21 points and 5 rebounds. Forward JD Miller (203-1996, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Rahsaan Edwards (183-2000, college: Florida Tech) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Cocodrilos players scored in double figures. Cocodrilos' coach Alfredo Madrid rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Brillantes maintains eighth place with 10-12 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second position with five games lost. Brillantes' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Caracas to the arena Pioneros.
Top scorers:
Brillantes: K.Elias 22+6reb, H.Myke 21+5reb, C.Paez 12+3reb+5ast, L.Mark 6+5ast, L.Herrera 5+6reb, A.Cabrera 3
Cocodrilos: D.Colon 16+2reb+2ast, J.Miller 14+12reb, L.Bethelmy 14+9reb, R.Edwards 11+5reb+7ast, L.Montero 7+3reb+2ast, G.Jhonder 5+3reb+1ast

Heroes - Trotamundos 71-93

Very expected game in Caracas where 9th ranked Heroes (8-14) were crushed by fifth ranked Trotamundos (15-8) 93-71 on Friday. Trotamundos shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. The best player for the winners was American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) who scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import guard James Reese V (193-1998, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 14 points and 4 assists. Five Trotamundos players scored in double figures. Dominican forward Yeikson Montero (196-1996, college: EMU) produced 17 points and American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BIG) added 13 points respectively for the hosts. 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, which they share with Spartans. Loser Heroes keep the ninth position with 14 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Trotamundos: L.Ricky 18+8reb+6ast, R.James 14+4reb+4ast, A.Reyes 12+1ast, B.Tyler 11+5reb+1ast, C.David 11+3reb+2ast, J.Zamora 10+3reb+2ast
Heroes: Y.Montero 17+4reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 13+4reb+3ast, G.Curvelo 11+6reb+2ast, K.Caraballo 6+8reb, M.Bell 6+1reb, H.Miller 6+1ast

Panteras - Guaiqueries 67-99

13th ranked Panteras (1-20) were outscored at home by fourth ranked Guaiqueries (15-7) with the biggest margin this round 99-67 on Friday night. Guaiqueries dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Panteras' 20. Guaiqueries looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Panteras' players. The best player for the winners was American guard Tyrone White (201-1990, college: CSUB) who scored 21 points and 4 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international power forward Eliezer Montano (206-1991) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Four Guaiqueries players scored in double figures. Australian forward Solomon Kuol (201, college: Lake Erie) produced 14 points and point guard Yochuar Palacios (183-1985) added 11 points respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Guaiqueries have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Panteras lost seventeenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. Guaiqueries will meet at home Marinos (#6) in the next round. Panteras will play against Piratas (#11) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Guaiqueries: W.Tyrone 21+2reb+4ast, E.Montano 13+12reb, G.Juan 13+6reb+1ast, C.Gendry 10+4reb+3ast, B.Jose 10+4ast, C.Francisco 9+4reb+2ast
Panteras: K.Solomon 14+2reb, Y.Palacios 11+1reb+2ast, D.Davonte 9+2reb+1ast, P.Romer 9+4reb, L.Carrillo 5+6reb+1ast, C.Jordan 5+1reb+2ast

Diablos - Centauros 87-75

Rather predictable result in Caracas where tenth ranked Diablos (8-15) defeated 12th ranked Centauros (4-18) 87-75 on Saturday. Diablos forced 19 Centauros turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Nicolas Palma (197-2004) who scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. Bryan Savinon chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Dominican swingman Luis Martinez (196-2000) produced 19 points and 6 assists and Senegalese-Spanish center Maodo Nguirane (210-1993) added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Five Diablos and four Centauros players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Diablos maintains tenth place with 8-15 record. Centauros lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 18 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Diablos: N.Palma 21+8reb+1ast, B.Savinon 17+5reb+4ast, G.Delwan 14+6reb+5ast, M.Barazarte 10+1reb+1ast, G.Edry 10+5reb+7ast, M.Leinfer 6
Centauros: L.Martinez 19+4reb+6ast, M.Petkovic 19+3reb+2ast, M.Nguirane 16+8reb+4ast, K.Pena 12+3reb+2ast, L.Moreno 6+3reb+1ast, A.Yepez 2+1reb

Gaiteros - Spartans 87-81

The game between Top Four teams took place in Maracaibo. First ranked host Gaiteros (19-2) defeated 3rd placed Spartans (15-8) 87-81. Gaiteros forced 25 Spartans turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Colombian-Dominican point guard Jesse Zarzuela (188, college: Oregon) accounted for 21 points and 5 steals for the winning side. Five Gaiteros players scored in double figures. The former international forward Michael Carrera (196-1993, college: S.Carolina, agency: BIG) came up with 16 points and 9 rebounds and American-Dominican guard Adonys Henriquez (201-1994, college: St.Louis) added 20 points respectively for Spartans in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gaiteros have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-2 record. Spartans lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. They share it with Trotamundos. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: Z.Jesse 21+4reb+3ast, D.Luis 14+10reb+7ast, C.Nahziah 13+2reb+5ast, M.Jesus 12+5reb, B.Angel 11+1reb+1ast, Z.Melvin 6
Spartans: A.Henriquez 20+2reb, M.Carrera 16+9reb+3ast, M.Watkins 13+6reb, R.Bautista 9+4reb+9ast, R.Jose 6+1reb, N.Palacios 5+1reb