VEN - Guaiqueries and Gaiteros advance

CARACAS (Liga Profesional) - Guaiqueries and Gaiteros have booked their places in the Venezuelan Liga Profesional semi-finals.

Margarita-based Guaiqueries clinched their place in the second stage on Wednesday with a 84-70 victory against Gatos from Monagas, led by 22 points from Roger Washington.

Alex Quiroz then netted 17 points as Guaiqueries demolished Guaros 92-69 on Saturday.

But Guaros took revenge on Sunday as Diego Guevara poured in 36 points during a 85-84 triumph.

Gaiteros booked their place in the six-team second stage on Saturday with a 99-94 victory over reigning champions Trotamundos from Carabobo.

Chris Jeffries top scored with 25 points and Ruben Nembhard also added 23 for Gaiteros, who repeated the triumph with a 105-89 win on Sunday.

Trotamundos, who also lost 85-84 to Marinos on Wednesday, had already booked their place in the next stage alongside Marinos and Cocodrilos.

Caracas based Cocodrilos beat Lara based Guaros 104-100 on Thursday before edging Marinos 100-99 in extra-time on Saturday courtesy of 34 points and 11 rebounds from Kevin Freeman.

Miguel Angelo Da Luz's Marinos won the second game of the weekend series 93-83 led by 21 points from Omar Quintero.

The last three rounds of fixtures, scheduled to take place this week, will see Guaros (18-21) and Gatos (16-23) fighting for the last place in the first round of semi-finals.

Guaros play Panteras on Wednesday and Gaiteros twice at the weekend, while Gatos play Gaiteros and Cocodrilos.

Matias Greco
FIBA