SPB Round 38 (Regular Season): Gaiteros defeat Marinos in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Sixth-ranked Marinos (14-10) gave a tough game to first ranked Gaiteros (20-3) in Caracas on Wednesday. The visitors from Maracaibo managed to secure only one-point victory 78-77. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Marinos. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Gaiteros' coach Julio Duquela used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Senegalese-American center Malik Dime (206-1992, college: Washington, agency: Slash Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-3 record. Newly promoted Marinos keep the sixth place with ten games lost.
Guaiqueries (#4) were upset in Caracas by seventh ranked Pioneros 84-80. American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and Johendrys Salazar supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by the former international forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996) did not help to save the game for Guaiqueries. Guaiqueries' coach Fernando Duro tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Pioneros maintains seventh position with 13-11 record. Guaiqueries at the other side keep the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Trotamundos.
Third ranked Spartans (16-8) crushed at home 13th ranked Panteras (1-23) by 30 points 109-79, which is the biggest margin this round on Wednesday night. The best player for the winners was Luis Almanza who scored 19 points and 7 rebounds. Wilkerman Gomez produced 20 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartans maintains third position with 16-8 record having three points less than leader Gaiteros. Panteras lost twentieth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games.

In the last two games of round 38 Heroes won against Centauros on the opponent's court 89-79. Piratas unfortunately lost to Cocodrilos in a home game 77-86.



Centauros - Heroes 79-89

Rather expected game in Margarita where 12th ranked Centauros (5-19) were defeated by ninth ranked Heroes (10-14) 89-79 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was American guard Jared Cunningham (194-1991, college: Oregon St., agency: BIG) who scored 27 points and 7 rebounds. Dominican forward Yeikson Montero (196-1996, college: EMU) chipped in 26 points and 7 rebounds. Dominican swingman Luis Martinez (196-2000) produced 31 points and Serbian power forward Milos Petkovic (204-1991) added 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Heroes maintains ninth position with 10-14 record. Loser Centauros keep the twelfth place with 19 games lost.
Top scorers:
Heroes: C.Jared 27+7reb+2ast, M.Yeikson 26+7reb+3ast, N.David 8+2reb+2ast, J.Jason 7+6reb, J.Gonzalez 6+4reb+2ast, C.Kelvin 6+2reb+2ast
Centauros: L.Martinez 31+3reb+2ast, K.Pena 19+4reb+3ast, M.Petkovic 13+10reb+4ast, M.Nguirane 9+7reb, L.Moreno 5+2reb+3ast, A.Yepez 2+1reb

Marinos - Gaiteros 77-78

Sixth-ranked Marinos (14-10) gave a tough game to first ranked Gaiteros (20-3) in Caracas on Wednesday. The visitors from Maracaibo managed to secure only one-point victory 78-77. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Marinos. Swingman Luis Duarte (190-1994) scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Nahziah Carter (198-1999, college: Washington) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Gaiteros players scored in double figures. Gaiteros' coach Julio Duquela used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Senegalese-American center Malik Dime (206-1992, college: Washington, agency: Slash Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) scored 17 points. Defending champion maintains first position with 20-3 record. Newly promoted Marinos keep the sixth place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Gaiteros: C.Nahziah 17+5reb+3ast, D.Luis 17+6reb+4ast, Z.Jesse 11+2reb+5ast, M.Jesus 10+8reb+1ast, S.Miguel 8+7reb+3ast, W.Micheal 6+4reb+2ast
Marinos: M.Bryson 17+1reb+3ast, G.Vargas 12+4reb+2ast, A.Perez 11+6reb+1ast, M.Dime 10+12reb+1ast, W.Saunders 8+6reb+5ast, K.McDaniels 8+8reb+4ast

Pioneros - Guaiqueries 84-80

Guaiqueries (#4) were upset in Caracas by seventh ranked Pioneros 84-80. Pioneros made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. Guaiqueries were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and Johendrys Salazar (192-2004) supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Pioneros players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 9 rebounds by the former international forward Jose Ascanio (204-1996) did not help to save the game for Guaiqueries. The former international point guard Kender Urbina (176-2004) added 19 points and 6 assists for the guests. Guaiqueries' coach Fernando Duro tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Pioneros maintains seventh position with 13-11 record. Guaiqueries at the other side keep the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Trotamundos.
Top scorers:
Pioneros: C.Anyeuri 20+10reb+3ast, G.Brevin 16+2reb+2ast, J.Salazar 13+6reb+3ast, D.Jovanni 10+4reb, E.Jarell 7+4reb+1ast, L.Palacios 6+2ast
Guaiqueries: J.Ascanio 20+9reb+1ast, K.Urbina 19+1reb+6ast, P.Chourio 13+6reb, J.Guerrero 8+1reb, T.White 7+2reb+1ast, M.Eliezer 4+6reb

Piratas - Cocodrilos 77-86

Very predictable result in La Guaira where second ranked Cocodrilos (19-5) defeated 10th ranked Piratas (8-15) 86-77 on Wednesday. Cocodrilos looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was Dominican Luis Montero (203-1993, college: South Plains) who scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American point guard Rahsaan Edwards (183-2000, college: Florida Tech) chipped in 11 points and 8 assists. American forward John Hugley IV (206-2001, college: Duquesne) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds and Dominican Yeison Colome (190-1996) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cocodrilos maintains second position with 19-5 record behind leader Gaiteros. Loser Piratas keep the tenth place with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Cocodrilos: C.Diego 15+1reb+2ast, M.Luis 14+7reb+7ast, M.JD 13+2reb+1ast, E.Rahsaan 11+3reb+8ast, R.Raymond 9+2reb+2ast, B.Evert 6+6reb+1ast
Piratas: Y.Colome 19+3reb+4ast, F.Pirela 16+5reb+1ast, E.Egbuta 13+7reb+1ast, H.IV John 13+12reb+1ast, H.Bompart 9+3reb+7ast, A.Enderson 4+4reb

Spartans - Panteras 109-79

Third ranked Spartans (16-8) crushed at home 13th ranked Panteras (1-23) by 30 points 109-79, which is the biggest margin this round on Wednesday night. Spartans made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized Colombian forward Luis Almanza (196-1991) who scored 19 points and 7 rebounds. point guard Michael Rudas (179-1994) chipped in 12 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Five Spartans players scored in double figures. Guard Wilkerman Gomez (190-2001) produced 20 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Luiyer Navarro (185-2005) added 19 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartans maintains third position with 16-8 record having three points less than leader Gaiteros. Panteras lost twentieth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games.
Top scorers:
Spartans: L.Almanza 19+7reb+2ast, F.Kyle 17+2reb+1ast, B.Gutierrez 15+1reb+1ast, M.Rudas 12+8reb+7ast, G.Cesar 10+3reb+2ast, P.Nelson 8+1reb+2ast
Panteras: W.Gomez 20+9reb+3ast, N.Luiyer 19+4reb+2ast, K.Solomon 10+3reb, T.Williams 7+2reb, O.Marquez 6+6reb+4ast, C.Lopez 4+5reb