Liga MB Round 14 (Regular Season): Metapan beats Brujos by two after a very close game

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Liga MB. What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Tenth-ranked Brujos (4-9) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked Metapan (12-1) in Izalco on Monday. The visitors from Metapan managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brujos. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 28. They outrebounded Brujos 51-34 including 19 on the offensive glass. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Brayan Garcia (200-1998) contributed with 20 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Alejandro de Los Santos replied with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Brujos. Metapan have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 12-1 record. Brujos at the other side keep the tenth place with nine games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ahuachapan (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brujos will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
An interesting game for Santa Ana (10-3) which played road game in Cojutepeque against 4th ranked Cojute (7-6). Second ranked Santa Ana had an easy win 82-67. American swingman Ajang Aguek (206-2000, college: Lander) had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Darnell Johnson chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: Little Rock) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Ana maintains second position with 10-3 record having just two points less than leader Metapan. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with six games lost. Santa Ana will play against Brujos (#10) in Izalco in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will have a break next round.
An interesting game was also surprising home defeat of 4th ranked Cojute (#4) in a game in Cojutepeque versus Salvadorenos (#8) 72-59. Ibrahin Hechavarria notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 9 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks by Michael Hinestroza did not help to save the game for Cojute. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Salvadorenos (6-8) moved-up to seventh place. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with six games lost. Salvadorenos will meet Santiagueno (#8) in the next round. Cojute will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 14 Santa Tecla beat Salvadorenos on the road 83-78. San Miguel lost to San Salvador on its own court 89-96.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 25 points and 8 rebounds by Luis Escoto of Salvadorenos.



Salvadorenos - Santa Tecla 78-83:
There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Santa Tecla (6-7) beat their close opponent Salvadorenos (6-8) in San Salvador 83-78 on Sunday. Santa Tecla forced 22 Salvadorenos turnovers. Eliezer Sanchez notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-1986, college: Miles) supported him with 9 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals. Even a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds by Cuban forward Ibrahin Hechavarria (206-2000) did not help to save the game for Salvadorenos. Forward William Merino (187-2000) added 20 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Four Salvadorenos players scored in double figures. Salvadorenos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Santa Tecla have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with San Miguel. Loser Salvadorenos dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Santa Tecla will meet San Miguel (#5) on the road in the next round. Salvadorenos will play against Santiagueno in Usultan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: H.Ibrahin 24+11reb+1ast, M.William 20+6reb+2ast, M.Diego 11+3reb+3ast, R.Erick 11+4reb+10ast, R.Marco 7+1reb+3ast, E.Luis 3+1reb+2ast
Santa Tecla: E.Sanchez 24+10reb+2ast, D.Huezo 21+1reb, J.Avila 17+7reb+1ast, E.Ishman 9+13reb+4ast, A.Interiano 6+1reb+1ast, E.Contreras 6+1reb+2ast

Cojute - Santa Ana 67-82:
An interesting game for Santa Ana (10-3) which played road game in Cojutepeque against 4th ranked Cojute (7-6). Second ranked Santa Ana had an easy win 82-67. Santa Ana made 23-of-28 charity shots (82.1 percent) during the game, while Cojute only scored six points from the stripe. Santa Ana brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. American swingman Ajang Aguek (206-2000, college: Lander) had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Darnell Johnson (201, college: CSUSB) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: Little Rock) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks and guard Juan Flores (178-1995) scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Ana maintains second position with 10-3 record having just two points less than leader Metapan. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with six games lost. Santa Ana will play against Brujos (#10) in Izalco in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: F.Juan 24+7reb+2ast, H.Michael 14+19reb+4ast, E.Wood 12+5reb+2ast, M.Kevin 8+3reb+3ast, F.Pablo 6+8reb, S.Sean 3
Santa Ana: A.Aguek 28+14reb+1ast, A.Colocho 17+4reb+2ast, J.Darnell 17+6reb+8ast, N.Gomez 10+4reb, R.Jonathan 8+11reb+1ast, E.Herrera 2+3reb

Brujos - Metapan 80-82:
Tenth-ranked Brujos (4-9) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked Metapan (12-1) in Izalco on Monday. The visitors from Metapan managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brujos. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 28. They outrebounded Brujos 51-34 including 19 on the offensive glass. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Brayan Garcia (200-1998) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Alejandro de Los Santos replied with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American point guard Leangelo Saravia (183-2001, college: Oakland City) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Brujos. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Metapan have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 12-1 record. Brujos at the other side keep the tenth place with nine games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ahuachapan (#11) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brujos will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Brujos: d.Los Santos Alejandro 29+11reb+4ast, S.Leangelo 16+5reb+2ast, O.Angelo 14+2reb, G.Gustavo 11+1reb+2ast, D.Franklin 6+12reb+3ast, A.Francisco 4+5ast
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 32+15reb+4ast, B.Garcia 20+16reb+4ast, L.Vasquez 13+3reb+7ast, J.Savoy 10+6reb+2ast, A.Tobar 5+6reb+2ast, A.Barahona 2+4reb+1ast

San Miguel - San Salvador 89-96:
There was an upset when higher ranked San Miguel (6-7) lost at home to ninth ranked San Salvador (5-8) 96-89 on Monday. San Salvador outrebounded San Miguel 46-33 including a 39-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Dominican Bernardo Polanco (189-1994) notched 40 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Kevin Saravia (165-2002) supported him with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists by American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) did not help to save the game for San Miguel. His fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (183-1997) added 25 points for the hosts. San Salvador have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 5-8 record. San Miguel lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Santa Tecla. San Salvador will meet at home higher ranked A.Lobos (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. San Miguel will play against Santa Tecla and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San Miguel: D.Daniels 25+1reb+1ast, N.Moore 20+15reb+4ast, J.Minner 17+5reb, A.Marco 9+5reb+5ast, G.Mauricio 7+2reb+3ast, H.Rafael 6+2reb+3ast
San Salvador: P.Bernardo 40+7reb+2ast, M.Menjivar 19+4reb+2ast, K.Saravia 17+7reb+7ast, D.Yovany 10+18reb, J.Gonzalez 6+3reb+1ast, A.Avalos 4+4reb+1ast

Cojute - Salvadorenos 59-72:
An interesting game was also surprising home defeat of 4th ranked Cojute (#4) in a game in Cojutepeque versus Salvadorenos (#8) 72-59. Salvadorenos outrebounded Cojute 46-35 including 32 on the defensive glass. Cuban forward Ibrahin Hechavarria (206-2000) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort and Luis Escoto (180-1996) supported him with 25 points and 8 rebounds. Even 9 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks by Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: Little Rock) did not help to save the game for Cojute. Guard Kevin Martinez (186-2000) added 16 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Salvadorenos (6-8) moved-up to seventh place. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with six games lost. Salvadorenos will meet Santiagueno (#8) in the next round. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: E.Wood 16+4reb+2ast, M.Kevin 16+6reb+1ast, H.Michael 9+16reb+2ast, F.Juan 8+3reb+5ast, A.Victor 4, M.Ronald 4+2reb+1ast
Salvadorenos: L.Escoto 25+8reb+2ast, W.Merino 19+8reb+1ast, I.Hechavarria 17+17reb+1ast, M.Rodriguez 9+1reb+2ast, I.Garibo 2+7reb+1ast, J.Elias 0