The newly launched Venezuela Renace Cup under the Super Basketball League kicked off its opening weekend with intense competition across multiple venues, bringing together 10 teams and over 150 athletes in a tournament backed by the National Executive.
Opening Night Sets the Tone in Caracas
The league’s opening fixture took place on Friday at the José Beracasa Gymnasium inside the Parque Naciones Unidas in Caracas, where Cocodrilos de Caracas defeated Trotamundos de Carabobo 66–58 in a high-voltage clash. Luis Bethelmy led the capital squad—often referred to as the saurios—with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers in 30 minutes of action. Fernando Fuenmayor paced the Blue Express with 14 points and 7 rebounds.
Weekend Action Brings Road Victories and Rematches
Action continued Saturday at the José Joaquín “Papá” Carrillo Gymnasium in Parque Miranda, where Hidrocarburos de Caracas cruised to a 95–70 victory against Spartans Distrito Capital in their debut as visitors under head coach Néstor Salazar. Simultaneously in Maracaibo, Costaneros de Puerto Cabello defeated Gaiteros del Zulia 81–70, powered by Michael Rodríguez’s 14 points, 5 rebounds, and a 17-valuation rating to secure a 2–0 start in their opening series.
Sunday featured immediate revenge fixtures and tight margins. Trotamundos bounced back at the Forum de Valencia to rout Cocodrilos 68–56, leveling their series 1–1 behind a double-double from Fuenmayor, who tallied 16 points and 11 boards. In Parque Miranda, Hidrocarburos completed a series sweep against Spartans with a dramatic 93–92 victory in the final seconds, fueled by 21 points and 8 rebounds from Luis Almanza and 18 points from Kelvin Peña. Meanwhile, on the island of Margarita, TNT Marinos edged Guaiqueríes de Margarita 71–70 in overtime at the Guaiqueríes Arena, led by Carlos Fulda’s standout performance of 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
First-Round Conclusion
The opening round of fixtures concludes Monday evening at the Major General Elio Estrada Paredes Gymnasium in Caracas, featuring the tournament debut between Pioneros de Caracas and Piratas de La Guaira.
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