VEN - Trotamundos off to flyer in Venezuela

VALENCIA (Liga Profesional) - Reigning Liga Professional champions Trotamundos began the new season in excellent form with two wins over Gatos de Monagas in their opening matches.

On Saturday, Victor Hugo Daith’s men swept aside Gatos in a 78-69 win for the perfect start to the defence of their crown.

Richard Lugo shone with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Lawrence Wallace contributed 21 points and Gatos’ Beck Castro poured in 20 points.
Lugo then followed that up on Sunday with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists in a narrow 75-73 win.

Tomas Aguilera, who himself contributed 16 points to the victory, said: “We had a strong zone defence in the final minutes and they (Gatos) were not able to beat our markers.”

Gaiteros del Zulia also had a successful weekend, winning both of their games against Cocodrilos de Caracas.

However, they were tested all the way to the final buzzer in each game, securing 77-75 and 91-90 victories on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

In the first game, Ruben Nembhard lead all point-scorers with 19 points, while Donald Cole was the hero a day later.

The sides were tied at 90-90 with 40 seconds remaining when Cole was fouled and made one of his free throws to secure the narrow win.

Ruben Nembhard was named MVP with his 30 points, while Luis Julio added scored 13 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.

Meanwhile, 2006 runners-up Guaros were indebted to the great form of Tang Hamilton for their 79-74 win over Marinos.

The new signing poured in 34 points and finished with 10 rebounds.

That was on Saturday, but on Sunday Marinos got their revenge with an 87-84 win, Axiers Sucre netting 17 points and Kevin Sheppard adding 16.

Finally, Guaiqueries and Panteras also drew 1-1 in their weekend mini-series.

Guaiqueries, coached by former Puerto Rico national team boss Julio Toro, won 75-68 against Panteras on Saturday, thanks mainly to the 27-point contribution of Amaury Filion.

Nelson Solorzano’s Panteras were strong on defense on Sunday and claimed a 75-73 triumph, led by Kellen Millner (15 points) and Gregory Ballenilla (13).

On Wednesday night, Gatos meet Guaros, Marinos take on Gaiteros and Trotamundos visit Panteras, while Cocodrilos and Guaiqueries play on Thursday.

FIBA