Match Report: Spartans Distrito Capital 71 – 77 Marinos de Anzoátegui
Liga Profesional de Baloncesto | 16 May 2026, 07:00

Marinos Hold Off Spartans in Tight Contest

Marinos de Anzoátegui proved too strong in the closing stages, defeating Spartans Distrito Capital 77–71 in a gritty Liga Profesional de Baloncesto encounter. The visitors built an early lead and never trailed in the second half, despite a determined Spartans rally late in the fourth quarter.

Match Overview

Marinos came out firing, winning the first quarter 22–15 behind hot shooting from beyond the arc. Spartans responded with a more physical game inside the paint in the second period, cutting the margin to 40–38 at halftime. The third quarter became a defensive battle, but Marinos maintained a slim 57–54 advantage heading into the final frame.

With under two minutes to play, Spartans pulled within 73–71 after a three‑pointer by José Martínez. However, Marinos answered with a quick basket and then forced a turnover, sealing the win from the free‑throw line.

Key Moments of the Game

• Hot start: Marinos opened the game on a 10‑2 run, setting the tone with crisp ball movement and aggressive perimeter defense.
• Third‑quarter stand: Spartans shot just 28% from the field in the third period, allowing Marinos to keep them at arm’s length.
• Clutch free throws: Marinos’ guard Andrés Salazar sank 4 of 4 free throws in the final 45 seconds to ice the game.

Standout Players

• Andrés Salazar (Marinos): Finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. His poise under pressure was instrumental in preserving the lead.
• José Martínez (Spartans): Scored a game-high 23 points, including 4 three‑pointers, but his late heroics weren’t quite enough to complete the comeback.

Table Impact

Marinos de Anzoátegui improve to 15–12, strengthening their grip on a playoff position in the competitive LPB. Spartans Distrito Capital slip to 13–14, and the loss could prove costly as the race for the final postseason spots intensifies. The two teams will meet again next week, and Spartans will be eager to even the season series.