Liga MB Round 8: #1 Santa Tecla is defeated by Quezaltepeque

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Liga MB. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Quezaltepeque - Santa Tecla 82-80

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Santa Tecla (9-2) on the court of fourth ranked Quezaltepeque on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by Quezaltepeque 82-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Tecla. They outrebounded Santa Tecla 56-44 including 17 on the offensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Quezaltepeque made 10 blocks. 24 personal fouls committed by Santa Tecla helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Darohn Scott (198-96, college: Cent Michigan) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 23 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks and the other American import Anthony Brown (193-89, college: Imperial Valley JC) who added 24 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Cuban Lisvan Valdes (196-88) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists and point guard Alejandro Arias (188-92) scored 16 points and 7 steals. Santa Tecla's coach Rainel Panfet rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Quezaltepeque (7-3) have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Santa Tecla at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Isidro Metapan. Quezaltepeque will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Tecla will play on the road against Cojute in Cojutepeque and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: L.Valdes 24+14reb+8ast, A.Arias 16+4reb+3ast, J.Avila 11+8reb+2ast, Y.Molina 9+6reb+3ast, L.Portal 9+4reb, J.Castillo 4+4reb
Quezaltepeque: A.Brown 24+10reb, D.Scott 19+23reb+4ast, D.Bairez 17+6reb+2ast, R.Miranda 8+3reb+1ast, E.Ishman 6+8reb+5ast, M.Bryan 5+3reb+2ast

Halcones - Aguila 98-83

Bottom-ranked Halcones managed to get a second victory, breaking the seven-game losing streak. This time defending champion won against eighth-ranked Aguila in Sonzacate 98-83. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 15-point difference proves that Halcones was well-prepared to that game. Halcones outrebounded Aguila 53-36 including 20 on the offensive glass. The winners were led by American forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 18 rebounds and the other American import forward Kenny Wilson (-93) supported him with 30 points and 4 steals. Even 26 points by forward Luis Almonte (187-88) did not help to save the game for Aguila. Venezuelan forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-88) added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains tenth position with 2-9 record. Aguila lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with six games lost. Halcones will play against higher ranked San Salvador (#5) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Aguila will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aguila: A.Luis 26+4reb+2ast, K.Caraballo 17+10reb+2ast, F.Asprilla 15+11reb+2ast, E.Ramirez 14+3reb, G.Lanza 9+4reb+2ast, B.Castellon 2+1reb+1ast
Halcones: M.Faison 38+18reb+2ast, W.Kenny 30+3reb+1ast, P.Andres 11+10reb+1ast, D.Barnes 10+11reb+1ast, A.Merino 5+5reb+3ast, R.Kevin 2+5reb+4ast

Santa Ana - Isidro Metapan 90-96

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Second ranked Isidro Metapan (9-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (4-7). Isidro Metapan managed to secure a 6-point victory 96-90 on Sunday. Strangely Santa Ana outrebounded Isidro Metapan 56-40 including a 30-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Isidro Metapan made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) who scored 29 points and 8 rebounds. Nicaraguan center Bartel Lopez (213-89) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. Five Isidro Metapan players scored in double figures. Nicaraguan forward Dalton Cacho (190-93) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 22 rebounds and American forward Timothy Simmons (195-92, college: DBU) added 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists respectively for the hosts. Isidro Metapan have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They used an opportunity after Santa Tecla lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with seven games lost. Isidro Metapan will meet Brujos Izalco (#4) on the road in the next round. Santa Ana will play against the league's leader Santa Tecla and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: T.Simmons 26+12reb+10ast, D.Cacho 25+22reb+2ast, I.Sandoval 24+5reb+1ast, D.Pena 6+5reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 4+7reb, E.Mendoza 4+2reb
Isidro Metapan: C.Blake 29+8reb+2ast, O.Torres 22+6reb, J.Colorado 17+4reb+3ast, M.Ramos 12+2reb+5ast, B.Lopez 11+17reb, M.Flores 3+1reb+1ast

Cojute - 11 Lobos 87-76

There was a minor upset in Cojutepeque where 8th ranked 11 Lobos (2-7) were defeated by tenth ranked Cojute (3-7) 87-76. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Christopher Miller (192-93, college: Salem Intern.) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Antonio McElrath (201-88, college: Coastal Alabama CC) contributed with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) replied with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Benjamin Merritt (202-92, college: Urbana) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for 11 Lobos. Four 11 Lobos players scored in double figures. Cojute have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place. 11 Lobos lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Cojute's next round opponent will be league's leader Santa Tecla at home and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.
Top scorers:
11 Lobos: C.Darwin 29+6reb+4ast, B.Merritt 15+11reb+2ast, M.Tejada 14+5reb+3ast, P.Wrencher 10+10reb+1ast, R.Erick 4+2reb, R.Benjamin 2
COJUTE: C.Miller 34+10reb+6ast, A.McElrath 23+16reb+2ast, J.Flores 16+4reb+5ast, C.Calejas 6+1reb+1ast, R.Melendez 4+5reb+3ast, A.Alvarado 2+3reb+2ast

Brujos Izalco - San Salvador 62-78

One of their biggest challengers Brujos Izalco (7-4) was outscored at home by fifth ranked San Salvador (6-5) with the biggest margin this round 78-62. San Salvador outrebounded Brujos Izalco 56-35 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward James Milton (204-92, college: Stevenson) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 20 rebounds. Point guard Joshua Windham (190-94, college: Bluefield St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists and 6 steals for the winners. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) replied with 25 points and 8 rebounds and forward Xavier Keeling (205-88, college: St.Catharine) added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Brujos Izalco. San Salvador have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 6-5 record. Brujos Izalco at the other side keeps the fourth place with four games lost. San Salvador's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Halcones (#10) in Sonzacate where they are favorite. Brujos Izalco will play at home against the league's second-placed Isidro Metapan (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brujos Izalco: J.Crockett 25+8reb+3ast, X.Keeling 12+8reb+4ast, L.Valle 9+2reb+1ast, J.Araujo 8+3reb+2ast, A.Smart 8+8reb+1ast, R.Mendez 0
San Salvador: J.Windham 21+12reb+9ast, J.Milton 20+20reb+2ast, O.Rivera 16+7reb+3ast, Q.Scates 15+9reb+5ast, A.Alas 4+4reb, G.Sosa 2+1reb