VEN - Guaiqueries clinch Venezuela title
CARACAS (Liga Profesional) - Guaiqueries from Margarita clinched the Liga Profesional title on Saturday after a thrilling 4-3 series win over Cocodrilos in the play-off final. Heading into the decider, the series had gone the way of the home team in each of the six previous games, but in Game Seven Guaiqueries bucked the trend by winning 92-87 on the road in Caracas to seal the championship.
CARACAS (Liga Profesional) - Guaiqueries from Margarita clinched the Liga Profesional title on Saturday after a thrilling 4-3 series win over Cocodrilos in the play-off final.
Heading into the decider, the series had gone the way of the home team in each of the six previous games, but in Game Seven Guaiqueries bucked the trend by winning 92-87 on the road in Caracas to seal the championship.
Chris Jackson, who top-scored with 28 points and collected 18 rebounds on Saturday, was voted the finals' MVP.
Kelvin Pena added 19 points for the winners, while Alex Quiroz, the only survivor from Guaiqueries' title-winning team of 10 years ago, finished with 14 points.
This series win sees Guaiqueries pull level with Trotamundos on eight Liga Profesional titles at the top of the all-time list.
"This is a very special team," said Guaiqueries coach Julio Toro.
"It's one of the most important titles in my career because there is a lot of passion in this group.
"All the effort we've made was finally worthwhile. Each second was worthwhile.
"Margarita and all our fans deserve this cup."
Matias Greco
FIBA