Liga MB Round 12: Santa Tecla keeps a leadership position

Lisvan Valdez

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Santa Tecla as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Santa Tecla defeated 4th ranked Brujos Izalco at home 75-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Brujos Izalco. Santa Tecla forced 29 Brujos Izalco turnovers. Strangely Brujos Izalco outrebounded Santa Tecla 44-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was Cuban Lisvan Valdes (196-88) who scored 32 points and 6 steals. Cuban Yuniskel Molina (177-93) chipped in 20 points and 7 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds. Santa Tecla have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Brujos Izalco at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost.
Important game to mention about took place in Quezaltepeque. Third ranked Quezaltepeque (10-4) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 5th ranked San Salvador (8-6) 81-78 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of San Salvador. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for center Darohn Scott (198-96, college: Cent Michigan) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. Eddie Ishman contributed with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Forward James Milton (204-92, college: Stevenson) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds for San Salvador. Quezaltepeque have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 10-4 record behind leader Santa Tecla. San Salvador at the other side keeps the fifth place with six games lost.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Isidro Metapan (11-3) against seventh ranked Aguila (4-9) on Sunday night. Visiting Isidro Metapan was defeated by Aguila in a tough game in San Miguel 85-89. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Isidro Metapan. Worth to mention a great performance of Freddy Asprilla who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 24 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Chris Blake with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Aguila maintains seventh position with 4-9 record. Loser Isidro Metapan keeps the second place with three games lost.
Bottom-ranked 11 Lobos managed to get a third victory, breaking the nine-game losing streak. This time they edged seventh-ranked Aguila in Chalchuapa 80-78. The winners were led by Darwin Jaramillo who had that evening a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. 11 Lobos (3-10) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Halcones. Aguila lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with nine games lost.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Santa Ana. Local Santa Ana (6-8) beat 9th ranked Cojute (3-11) 100-85 on Friday night. The best player for the winners was Timothy Simmons who scored 36 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Santa Ana's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Ana maintains sixth position with 6-8 record. Cojute lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 11 games lost.

In the last game of round 12 Quezaltepeque defeated Cojute in a road game 82-72.