LA ASUNCIÓN, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Venezuelan SLB’s top two teams, both holding 15-9 records, meet Friday night when the Carabobo Trotamundos visit the Margarita Guaiqueries at Gimnasio Ciudad de la Asunción.

Friday’s clash carries playoff implications: the winner takes sole possession of second place in the standings, while the loser drops into a tie with the chasing pack. The teams split their two previous meetings this season. Carabobo won 89-83 at home on March 25, but Margarita responded with a dominant 98-67 victory in La Asunción on April 19, holding the Trotamundos to 34.2% shooting.

Carabobo arrives following a 76-74 home loss to Portuguesa on May 4. In that game, forward Ricky Ledo posted 18 points, five rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. Ledo, the team’s leading scorer, has been inconsistent of late. Over his last seven games, he has averaged 17.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists, but shot just 40% from the field in the April 19 loss to Margarita. The Trotamundos will need Ledo to bounce back, especially after he scored 34 points in a loss to the Caracas Spartans on April 25.

Margarita last played May 6, losing 84-80 at Avila. Point guard Kender Urbina scored 19 points and had six assists in that game, continuing a streaky stretch. Urbina has been efficient as a facilitator — averaging 5.6 assists over his last five games — but his scoring has fluctuated; he managed only six points in a loss to Anzoátegui on May 3. Against Carabobo on April 19, Urbina tallied 10 points and one assist in 12 minutes.

The Guaiqueries have lost three of their past four, including a 70-58 home defeat to Anzoátegui that snapped a three-game win streak. Margarita’s defense held opponents to 72.3 points per game during its winning run, but has allowed 79.5 in the recent skid.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. local time. Both teams are healthy, though Margarita’s bench depth will be tested after guard Pedro Chourio logged 25 minutes in the loss to Avila. Carabobo’s James Reese V, who had 18 points and three rebounds against Portuguesa, provides a reliable secondary scoring option.