Marinos de Anzoátegui reaches first final since 2017

Marinos de Anzoátegui is heading to its first professional basketball final since 2017 after defeating the defending champions Gaiteros del Zulia 79-77 in a thrilling Game 5. The victory capped off a significant celebration for the club, marking its 50th anniversary. Playing in front of a packed home crowd at the Luis Ramos gymnasium, Marinos demonstrated resilience, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the first half. They maintained their composure in the final moments to secure the win, preventing Gaiteros from forcing overtime. The team, coached by Néstor Salazar, advanced through the semifinals in five hard-fought games and now awaits the winner of the series between Guaiqueríes de Margarita and Cocodrilos de Caracas. This marks Marinos' 18th final appearance, with their last championship title dating back to 2015. Carlos Fulda emerged as the hero of the decisive game, earning the Gatorade MVP award for his pivotal scoring in the second half. He contributed 15 points, many of which came in the crucial final quarters. Fulda emphasized the importance of strong defense throughout the series and expressed pride in the team's collective effort. "For me, it is an honor to play in a final with Marinos," he stated, reflecting on his lifelong support for the team. "Since I was a child, I was in the stands supporting the team, so living this moment has a very special meaning."