Gaiteros de Zulia Edges Marinos de Anzoaegui in Hard-Fought LPB Contest

In a tightly contested Liga Profesional de Baloncesto (LPB) clash on June 3, 2026, the Gaiteros de Zulia secured a 79–75 road victory over Marinos de Anzoaegui. The match, played at the Gimnasio Luis Ramos in Puerto La Cruz, saw the visitors overcome a resilient home side to claim a crucial win in the Venezuelan league standings.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the contest looking to improve their positions in the LPB table. Marinos de Anzoaegui, known for their passionate home crowd, started strongly and led for much of the first half. However, Gaiteros de Zulia demonstrated composure and defensive grit, slowly chipping away at the deficit. The final quarter turned into a nail-biter, with the visitors outscoring the home team 23–18 in the last period to seal the win.

Key Moments

• First Half: Marinos built a 42–38 lead at halftime, fueled by efficient outside shooting and fast-break points.
• Third Quarter: Gaiteros tightened their defense, holding Marinos to just 15 points while cutting the lead to one possession entering the fourth.
• Final Minutes: With the score tied at 73–73, Gaiteros guard José “Pepe” Martínez knocked down a clutch three-pointer with 1:14 remaining, giving his team a lead they would not relinquish.
• Free Throws: Gaiteros converted 8 of 10 free throws in the closing two minutes to ice the game, while Marinos missed key opportunities from the stripe.

Standout Performances

Gaiteros de Zulia were led by forward Luis Herrera, who posted a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Veteran point guard Carlos Rivas added 16 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense in critical stretches. For Marinos de Anzoaegui, center Andrés López dominated the paint with 20 points and 14 rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the visitors’ balanced attack.

Impact on the LPB Standings

The victory lifted Gaiteros de Zulia to a 12–9 record, keeping them in contention for a top-four playoff seed. Marinos de Anzoaegui dropped to 10–11, slipping just outside the postseason picture in the competitive LPB. With the regular season approaching its halfway point, every game carries added weight, and this result could prove pivotal come playoff time.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again later this month in Maracaibo, where Gaiteros will look to sweep the season series. For now, they celebrate a hard-earned road win that showcases their resilience and depth.