Gaiteros de Zulia Holds Off Cocodrilos for 86-78 Victory

Gaiteros de Zulia outlasted Cocodrilos 86-78 in a hard-fought Liga Profesional de Baloncesto contest on May 12, 2026. The home team used a strong second-half surge to overcome a feisty Cocodrilos squad that had led after the first quarter, improving their record in the competitive Venezuelan league.

Match Summary

The game opened with Cocodrilos finding their rhythm early, nailing four three-pointers in the first 10 minutes to take a 24-19 lead. Gaiteros responded by tightening their defense in the second quarter, outscoring the visitors 28-18 to grab a 47-42 halftime advantage. The third quarter remained neck-and-neck, but Gaiteros pulled away in the fourth behind clutch shooting and key stops in the final four minutes.

Standout Players

• Gaiteros de Zulia: American import forward Michael Williams dominated with 26 points and 12 rebounds, including 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Point guard Jose Carrero orchestrated the offense with 8 assists and 14 points, while veteran swingman Luis Hernandez chipped in 15 points off the bench.
• Cocodrilos: Center Alejandro Martinez led the visitors with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but he was limited to just 4 points in the second half due to foul trouble. Shooting guard Pedro Reyes scored 16 points, and Carlos Suarez added 14, but the team committed 17 turnovers that proved costly.

Key Moments

With 5:30 remaining and Gaiteros clinging to a 70-68 lead, Williams drove baseline for a thunderous dunk that ignited the home crowd. On the ensuing possession, Carrero stole the ball and found Williams for a transition three-pointer, stretching the lead to seven. Cocodrilos never got closer than five points the rest of the way.

Season Context

The victory lifts Gaiteros de Zulia to 7-5 in the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto standings, keeping them in the playoff picture. Cocodrilos falls to 6-6, dropping into the middle of the tightly packed table. Gaiteros will now prepare for a critical road trip, while Cocodrilos returns home to host Trotamundos de Carabobo.

This win also marked Gaiteros’ third in their last four games, signaling a strong midseason push under head coach Carlos Salazar. Their defensive rebounding (37 total boards) and transition scoring (18 fast-break points) were decisive factors in the victory.