Liga MB Round 5: Leader Santa Tecla gets another victory

Liga MB is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 5 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

San Salvador - Quezaltepeque 85-80

The game in San Salvador was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Quezaltepeque (7-3) played at the court of fifth ranked San Salvador (6-5). San Salvador managed to secure a 5-point victory 85-80. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Quezaltepeque. San Salvador made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Quincy Scates (198-89, college: Tenn Wesleyan) orchestrated the victory by scoring 29 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Forward James Milton (204-92, college: Stevenson) contributed with 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and Anthony Brown (193-89, college: Imperial Valley JC) added 22 points and 5 assists in the effort for Quezaltepeque. Quezaltepeque's coach William Avalos rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Salvador have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 6-5 record. Quezaltepeque at the other side dropped to the third position with three games lost. San Salvador will play against league's leader Santa Tecla on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Quezaltepeque will play against 11 Lobos in Chalchuapa and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: Q.Scates 29+6reb+2ast, J.Milton 22+8reb, M.Lahud 11+1reb+4ast, O.Rivera 8+3reb+7ast, L.Escoto 8+2reb+2ast, A.Alas 6+9reb
Quezaltepeque: E.Ishman 23+14reb+4ast, A.Brown 22+4reb+5ast, B.Garcia 11+8reb+1ast, D.Scott 9+8reb+3ast, I.Andaluz 5+2reb+1ast, I.Urrutia 5+1reb

Aguila - Santa Ana 84-90

There was a minor upset in San Miguel where their close opponent Aguila (3-6) was defeated by eighth ranked Santa Ana (4-7) 90-84 on Sunday. Strangely Aguila outrebounded Santa Ana 49-29 including a 23-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 assists and 7 steals for the winners and American power forward Macam Macam (211-92, college: Brown Mackie) chipped in 24 points and 12 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field). Macam is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Forward Luis Almonte (187-88) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Venezuelan forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-88) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Santa Ana moved-up to sixth place. Aguila lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Santa Ana will meet bottom-ranked Halcones (#10) in the next round. Aguila will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: L.Vazquez 34+4reb+10ast, M.Macam 24+12reb+3ast, T.Simmons 22+6reb+6ast, I.Sandoval 3+2reb, A.Gross Ruano 3+1reb+2ast, E.Ortiz 2+1reb+1ast
Aguila: A.Luis 32+10reb+4ast, K.Caraballo 22+10reb+4ast, F.Asprilla 12+15reb+3ast, H.Jaimes 8+6reb+4ast, G.Imonti 4+6reb, B.Castellon 4+1reb

Quezaltepeque - Cojute 102-94

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Quezaltepeque (7-3) defeated at home 8th ranked Cojute (3-8) 102-94 on Sunday. Quezaltepeque forced 20 Cojute turnovers and outrebounded them 44-31 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) stepped up and scored 39 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and center Darohn Scott (198-96, college: Cent Michigan) chipped in 12 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. Quezaltepeque's coach William Avalos used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Jose Ortiz (194-90, college: Delaware Valley) responded with 38 points (!!!) and forward Antonio McElrath (201-88, college: Coastal Alabama CC) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. Quezaltepeque have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to third place. Loser Cojute keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. Quezaltepeque will meet 11 Lobos (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Cojute will play against Brujos Izalco and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Quezaltepeque: E.Ishman 39+9reb+4ast, A.Brown 19+3reb+4ast, M.Bryan 17+3reb, B.Garcia 12+9reb+1ast, D.Scott 12+13reb+6ast, D.Bairez 3+2reb+9ast
COJUTE: J.Ortiz 38+3reb+2ast, A.McElrath 20+18reb+4ast, J.Flores 18+4reb+2ast, C.Calejas 6+2reb+1ast, R.Melendez 5+3reb+6ast, J.Cruz 4+1ast

Brujos Izalco - Aguila 74-67

Very expected game when 8th ranked Aguila (3-6) was defeated on the road by fourth ranked Brujos Izalco (7-4) 74-67 on Saturday. Brujos Izalco forced 21 Aguila turnovers. Strangely Aguila outrebounded Brujos Izalco 44-29 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos Izalco made 7 blocks. American swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) stepped up and scored 22 points and 5 assists for the winners and naturalized Canadian point guard Jose Araujo (187-86, college: UNBC, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Luis Almonte (187-88) responded with 38 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and Venezuelan forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-88) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Brujos Izalco maintains fourth place with 7-4 record. Aguila lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Brujos Izalco will meet at home Cojute (#8) in the next round. Aguila will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brujos Izalco: J.Crockett 22+3reb+5ast, J.Araujo 17+5reb+5ast, A.Smart 11+10reb+2ast, L.Valle 8+2ast, J.Angulo 6+2ast, X.Keeling 6+10reb+2ast
Aguila: A.Luis 38+5reb+2ast, K.Caraballo 13+10reb+4ast, E.Ramirez 7+4reb, F.Asprilla 4+17reb+3ast, H.Jaimes 3+4reb+2ast, G.Imonti 2+3reb+3ast

Santa Ana - Brujos Izalco 68-85

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Brujos Izalco (7-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (4-7). Brujos Izalco did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 85-68 on Friday. Brujos Izalco outrebounded Santa Ana 56-28 including a 25-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and Luis Valle (190-97) chipped in 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Brujos Izalco players scored in double figures. American forward Timothy Simmons (195-92, college: DBU) responded with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and the other American import power forward Macam Macam (211-92, college: Brown Mackie) scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos Izalco maintains fourth place with 7-4 record. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Brujos Izalco will meet at home Cojute (#8) in the next round. Santa Ana will play against Halcones in Sonzacate and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brujos Izalco: A.Smart 21+15reb, L.Valle 21+6reb+5ast, J.Crockett 20+10reb, X.Keeling 11+11reb+3ast, J.Araujo 10+9reb+6ast, J.Angulo 2+2reb
Santa Ana: M.Macam 22+7reb, T.Simmons 19+7reb+6ast, L.Vazquez 13+3reb+2ast, I.Sandoval 9+1reb+1ast, V.Gustavo 3+3reb+1ast, E.Ortiz 2+1reb

Isidro Metapan - 11 Lobos 115-101

Very predictable result when second ranked Isidro Metapan (9-2) beat at home 8th ranked 11 Lobos (2-7) 115-101 on Saturday. Isidro Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to 11 Lobos' 62. American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) stepped up and scored 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners and Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) chipped in 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Isidro Metapan's coach Jose Luis Damaso used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward David Haye (190-94, college: Ramapo) responded with 36 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Patrick Wrencher (201-95, college: St.Francis, PA) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Five Isidro Metapan and four 11 Lobos players scored in double figures. Isidro Metapan have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 9-2 record behind leader Santa Tecla. 11 Lobos lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with seven games lost. Isidro Metapan will meet bottom-ranked Halcones (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. 11 Lobos will play against Quezaltepeque and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Isidro Metapan: C.Blake 37+8reb+4ast, O.Torres 21+14reb+2ast, J.Colorado 21+3reb+1ast, A.Regalado 18+4reb+2ast, M.Ramos 13+4reb+6ast, A.Jose 3
11 Lobos: D.Haye 36+9reb+7ast, P.Wrencher 25+12reb, M.Tejada 20+7reb+1ast, M.Gonzalez 15+3reb+2ast, R.Erick 3+1ast, W.Molina 2+4reb+5ast

Cojute - Halcones 101-96

Everything could happen in Cojutepeque at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Cojute and 10th ranked Halcones had identical 2-8 record. This time Cojute used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Sonzacate 101-96 on Friday night. Cojute had a 37-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Forward Jose Ortiz (194-90, college: Delaware Valley) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and forward Antonio McElrath (201-88, college: Coastal Alabama CC) chipped in 16 points and 17 rebounds. Forward Kenny Wilson (-93) responded with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 17 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Halcones' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Cojute have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain eighth place with 3-8 record. Halcones lost seventh consecutive game. Defending champion stay at the bottom position with nine games lost. Cojute will meet higher ranked Brujos Izalco (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Halcones will play against the league's second-placed Isidro Metapan (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Cojute: J.Ortiz 35+5reb+5ast, C.Calejas 27+4reb+1ast, A.McElrath 16+17reb, J.Cruz 10+1reb, J.Flores 7+3reb+3ast, J.Gomez 6+6reb
Halcones: W.Kenny 37+12reb+5ast, M.Faison 25+17reb+9ast, R.Harrison 17+7reb+3ast, C.Rafael 9+1reb+1ast, B.Fernando 2, O.Felipe 2+1reb

Santa Tecla - Halcones 104-93

Leader Santa Tecla delivered the tenth win on Sunday night. This time they beat 10th ranked Halcones (2-9) 104-93. Santa Tecla forced 22 Halcones turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Cuban Lisvan Valdes (196-88) who scored 33 points (!!!). Cuban Yuniskel Molina (177-93) chipped in 21 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Four Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. American forward Kenny Wilson (-93) produced 45 points (!!!) and 5 assists and the other American import forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) added 19 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Santa Tecla have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-2 record. Halcones lost seventh consecutive game. Defending champion stay at the bottom position with nine games lost. Santa Tecla are looking forward to face San Salvador (#5) at home in the next round. Halcones will play against the league's second-placed Isidro Metapan (#2) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: L.Valdes 33+4reb+3ast, Y.Molina 21+8reb+9ast, J.Avila 18+6reb, C.Arias 12+8reb+1ast, E.Escalante 9+1reb+3ast, A.Arias 9+4reb+8ast
Halcones: W.Kenny 45+4reb+5ast, M.Faison 19+11reb+2ast, P.Andres 10+6reb+1ast, D.Barnes 7+7reb+2ast, A.Merino 5+3reb+1ast, B.Fernando 5+2ast