Ronald Guillén praised Luis Bethlemy’s contribution to the coronation of the Gladiators of Anzoátegui

Ronald Guillén, coach of Gladiadores de Anzoátegui in the Professional Basketball Super League (SPB), praised the work of power forward Luis Bethelmy, who helped the club to victory in the 2024 season.

Bethelmy, a 37-year-old Sucre native and member of Marinos de Oriente, was taken as a reinforcement by La Armadura Anzoatiguense for the Grand Final in which they swept Guaiqueríes de Margarita 4-0, which allowed them to win the title for the second consecutive time. According to the coach, the power forward did a great job both in defense and attack and that was key to the success of the club based in the Luis Ramos indoor gymnasium of the Libertador Simón Bolívar sports complex.

“Luis Bethelmy knew how to understand the role of covering the backs of our inside players. He gave us good minutes, he contributed defense in the paint and he was a threat in the three-point shot. He opened the court for us and created spaces (to execute good shots),” Guillén told the SPB press department.

Achievement for the foreman

Guillén, a coach born in Trujillo, became -just- the fourth man in the 50-year history of national professional basketball to win a title as a technical assistant in one season (2023) and get another title in the following season (2024), after assuming the position of head coach. Previously, Alirio Romero (1984-1985 with Gaiteros del Zulia), David Palacios (1986-1987 with Trotamundos de Carabobo) and Rafael Infante (1998-1999 with Trotamundos) did so.

The Gladiadores foreman feels blessed and proud to have achieved a feat that is rare in Venezuela. He said that the success was the result of the great support he received from all members of the Anzoátegui organization.

“I am very grateful, especially to God for being on this path with me and allowing me to experience this sublime moment. I thank the organization for giving me the confidence to work. I congratulate all the players and the staff for the excellent work done since day one,” he added.

What’s next for the coach

For Guillén, who in 2023 was part of the Gladiadores staff when it was directed by James Maye, he hopes to grow as a top boss at the SPB.

For this reason, he hopes to increase his knowledge of the application of different tactical systems, in order to apply them to increase the chances of Gladiators extending their hegemony in the top national circuit.

“My goal this season was to consolidate myself and take a step forward as a coach. Now my objective will be to stay, continue growing at every moment and advancing in my career. The idea will be to continue training and preparing myself, in order to continue learning about basketball,” he concluded.

Valencia / Joseph Ñambre