Zulia vs. Portuguesa
AP Sports Preview
PORTUGUESA, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Venezuelan Superliga de Baloncesto’s most dominant team visits its last-place squad Monday as the Zulia Gaiteros, boasting a league-best 16-2 record, face the 3-14 Portuguesa at 7 p.m. local time.
Zulia enters on a high after defeating Miranda 84-76 on Friday, improving to 8-2 in its last 10 outings. Portuguesa, meanwhile, has struggled to a 2-8 mark over the same span, though it earned a 78-62 victory at Miranda on Tuesday.
The Gaiteros (16-2) have leaned heavily on Luis Duarte, a shooting guard who has posted consistent all-around numbers. In Friday’s win over Miranda, Duarte logged 31 minutes with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and four blocks. In his previous outing April 6 against Anzoátegui, he produced 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists in a 90-82 victory.
Portuguesa (3-14) will counter with forward Gil Atencio Yearwood, who recorded a double-double in Tuesday’s win at Miranda with 20 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 33 minutes. Yearwood also scored 15 points with seven rebounds in a 91-107 loss at Maracaibo on April 14, and added 11 points and six rebounds in a 67-82 loss at Anzoátegui on April 19.
The teams met most recently on March 15, with Zulia winning 94-81 at home.
Zulia’s depth extends beyond Duarte. In Friday’s win, Nahziah Carter posted 20 points, three rebounds and seven assists, and Jesse Zarzuela added 16 points and two assists.
Portuguesa’s supporting cast includes center Maodo Nguirane, who recorded 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in Tuesday’s victory, and small forward Luis Martinez, who scored 21 points.
Zulia will play host to Carabobo on Wednesday before a busy stretch of four games in six days. Portuguesa travels to Miranda on Wednesday and hosts Margarita on the same day.
Monday’s game marks the second of three scheduled meetings between the teams.