Cocodrilos de Caracas win Venezuela LPB

Cocodrilos de Caracas has conquered the Venezuelan LPB title by taking out Bucaneros de La Guaira in the seventh and deciding game in the finals series. The franchise secured that title in style, using an 86-69 victory at home to finally put away the Bucaneros after a tight series.

It is the first time Cocodrilos de Caracas have win the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto since 2013, while it was the sixth title the club has won overall.

La Guaira was chasing its first LPB, but the franchise missed out and will now have to go all over again next season.

Cocodrilos de Caracas vs. Bucaneros de La Guaira, 86-69

The hosts started as they meant to go on, using a handy defensive display in the first quarter to lead 18-10 at the first split. In the second frame the scoring picked up at both ends, but Cocodrilos had the extra gear and used a 27-17 charge to lead 45-27 at the long break. The deficit was 18 points and the Bucaneros looked dead. The visitors started to fight back in the third act though, taking the frame 17-21 to put the score at 62-48 through thirty minutes. There was to be no fairytale comeback though as the hosts rode a losing fourth stanza to seal the title.

Wendell McKines secured the finals MVP with a display of 27 points and 12 rebounds, and impressive double-double. Also doubling up was Tony Mitchell with 18 points and 10 boards, while Cesar Garcia secured 17 points in the win.

Justin Carter topped the losing effort with 18 points, but Alex Oriakhi stood out with a mind blowing double-double. He scored 14 points, and secured 22 rebounds and a monster display where he grabbed 13 off the offensive glass and defended for 9 boards.