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PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Anzoátegui Marinos host the Margarita Guaiqueries on Tuesday in Game 3 of their Venezuelan SLB playoff series at Luis Ramos de Puerto La Cruz. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. local time.

The Marinos hold a 2-0 series lead after sweeping the first two games on the road. Anzoátegui edged Margarita 71-70 on Friday and 71-68 on Thursday, both at Margarita’s home court. The Marinos own a 23-12 record across all competitions this season, while the Guaiqueries are 23-16.

Anzoátegui looks to take a commanding 3-0 advantage behind point guard Gregory Vargas. The veteran has been a steady presence in the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the first two games. In his last 10 outings, Vargas has scored in double figures eight times and dished out at least three assists in seven games. He posted 10 points and five rebounds in Game 1, then 15 points and three assists in Game 2.

Margarita will rely on center Juan Guerrero to spark a comeback. Guerrero has recorded four double-doubles in his last six games, including 13 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2 and 11 points and six rebounds in Game 1. Over his past 10 games, the big man has averaged 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds while playing about 25 minutes per game. His ability to dominate the paint will be critical for the Guaiqueries as they try to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole.

The Marinos swept the regular-season series between these teams, winning 70-58 on May 3 and losing 99-77 on March 15. But the playoffs have been a different story, with Anzoátegui controlling the tempo in both tight victories.

Tuesday’s game marks the first time this series has been played at Luis Ramos de Puerto La Cruz, where the Marinos went 12-5 during the regular season. Margarita, meanwhile, was 10-8 on the road.

Key contributors for Anzoátegui in the series include center Malik Dime, who had eight points and eight rebounds in Game 1, and guard Carlos Fulda, who scored 12 points in the series opener. For Margarita, point guard Kender Urbina has been sharp, posting 17 points and three assists in Game 1, while forward Miguel Ruiz grabbed eight rebounds in that contest.

A win Tuesday would give Anzoátegui a chance to close out the series in Game 4 on Thursday, also at home. Margarita must find a way to slow Vargas and generate consistent offense against a Marinos defense that has held them to an average of 69 points through two games.