Liga MB Round 16: Santa Tecla beat Quezaltepeque by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga MB took place in Quezaltepeque. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of their biggest opponent Quezaltepeque (9-4) to first ranked Santa Tecla (11-3) 90-89 in the game for the first place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Quezaltepeque. They outrebounded Quezaltepeque 53-33 including a 31-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of center Carlos Arias (200-89) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds. Cuban Lisvan Maza (196-88) contributed with 32 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. O Torres replied with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for Quezaltepeque. Quezaltepeque's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Santa Tecla have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-3 record. Quezaltepeque at the other side keeps the second place with four games lost.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Isidro Metapan (7-5) against fifth ranked Brujos Izalco (7-6) on Wednesday night. Visiting Isidro Metapan was crushed by Brujos Izalco in Izalco 112-88. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Isidro Metapan. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists and Akeme Smart who added 20 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks during the contest. At the losing side American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brujos Izalco maintains fifth position with 7-6 record. Isidro Metapan at the other side dropped to the fourth place with five games lost. Brujos Izalco will play against Halcones (#8) in Sonzacate in the next round. Isidro Metapan will play on the road against Aguila (#6) in San Miguel and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Cojutepeque was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked San Salvador (8-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Cojute (5-8). San Salvador did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 99-82 on Thursday. The winners were led by Marvin Cairo who had that evening a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field). Even 40 points (!!!) by Quincy Scates did not help to save the game for Cojute. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador moved-up to third place. Loser Cojute dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. San Salvador will meet at home bottom-ranked Santa Ana (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Cojute will play against Santa Ana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 16 Quezaltepeque smashed Santa Ana on the road 113-92.

Santa Ana - Quezaltepeque 92-113

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Quezaltepeque (9-4) crushed on the road bottom-ranked Santa Ana (2-10) 113-92 on Wednesday. Quezaltepeque dominated down low during the game scoring 88 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 50. They outrebounded Santa Ana 58-41 including 23 on the offensive glass. Quezaltepeque looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Santa Ana's players. The winners were led by O Torres who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists and center Brayan Garcia (195-98) supported him with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Five Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 50 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds (made all of his fifteen free throws !!!) by Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. A Benson-Lebron added 17 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Quezaltepeque have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 9-4 record having just three points less than leader Santa Tecla. Santa Ana lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with ten games lost. Quezaltepeque will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Cojute (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: L.Vazquez 50+11reb+1ast, B.A 17+9reb+3ast, W.Molina 15+7reb+1ast, R.Erick 3+2reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 3+5reb, J.Cuestas 2+1reb
Quezaltepeque: B.Garcia 22+9reb, T.O 20+13reb+9ast, J.Jaca 13+9reb+2ast, E.Lima 13+6reb+2ast, D.Bairez 12+5reb+4ast, A.Barahona 10

Brujos Izalco - Isidro Metapan 112-88

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Isidro Metapan (7-5) against fifth ranked Brujos Izalco (7-6) on Wednesday night. Visiting Isidro Metapan was crushed by Brujos Izalco in Izalco 112-88. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Isidro Metapan. Brujos Izalco forced 19 Isidro Metapan turnovers and outrebounded them 53-37 including a 24-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Brujos Izalco players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists and Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who added 20 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks during the contest. Four Brujos Izalco players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 6 assists and Venezuelan forward Jovanni Diaz (203-90) scored 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brujos Izalco maintains fifth position with 7-6 record. Isidro Metapan at the other side dropped to the fourth place with five games lost. Brujos Izalco will play against Halcones (#8) in Sonzacate in the next round. Isidro Metapan will play on the road against Aguila (#6) in San Miguel and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Isidro Metapan: C.Blake 33+4reb+6ast, J.Diaz 20+9reb+4ast, M.Evangelista 12+12reb+3ast, M.Ramos 7+3reb+5ast, J.Colorado 6+6reb+1ast, A.Regalado 4
Brujos Izalco: M.Faison 31+18reb+8ast, J.Crockett 26+6reb+2ast, J.Araujo 24+3reb+5ast, A.Smart 20+17reb+3ast, J.Angulo 5+4reb+1ast, C.Torres 3+1reb

Cojute - San Salvador 82-99

The game in Cojutepeque was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked San Salvador (8-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Cojute (5-8). San Salvador did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 99-82 on Thursday. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field) and Panamanian Jonathan King (193-90, college: Abil.Christian) supported him with 32 points (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). Even 40 points (!!!) by American forward Quincy Scates (198-89, college: Tenn Wesleyan) did not help to save the game for Cojute. His fellow American import point guard Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNC Pembroke) added 8 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists and 6 steals for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador moved-up to third place. Loser Cojute dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. San Salvador will meet at home bottom-ranked Santa Ana (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Cojute will play against Santa Ana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cojute: Q.Scates 40+4reb+2ast, D.Robinson 9+8reb+2ast, S.Brackett 8+7reb+11ast, R.M 5+1reb, A.Carlos 5+2reb, R.Alvarez 5+2ast
San Salvador: M.Cairo 36+11reb+5ast, J.King 32+3ast, D.King 8+8reb+4ast, C.Flores 6+2reb, O.Rivera 5+3reb+4ast, R.Rivas 3+1reb

Quezaltepeque - Santa Tecla 89-90

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga MB took place in Quezaltepeque. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of their biggest opponent Quezaltepeque (9-4) to first ranked Santa Tecla (11-3) 90-89 in the game for the first place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Quezaltepeque. They outrebounded Quezaltepeque 53-33 including a 31-14 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of center Carlos Arias (200-89) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds. Cuban Lisvan Maza (196-88) contributed with 32 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. O Torres replied with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Cuban Jordanis Jaca (195-83) added 17 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Quezaltepeque. Four Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. Quezaltepeque's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Santa Tecla have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-3 record. Quezaltepeque at the other side keeps the second place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Quezaltepeque: T.O 19+6reb+6ast, J.Jaca 17+9reb+3ast, R.Santos 14+4reb+1ast, A.Barahona 12, B.Garcia 12+4reb+2ast, M.Lahud 8+2reb+3ast
Santa Tecla: L.Maza 32+6reb+2ast, C.Arias 24+17reb+1ast, A.Alorda 12+14reb+1ast, E.Escalante 8+6reb+3ast, A.Arias 5+8reb+5ast, L.Valle 5+2reb+1ast



Tags : CARLOS ARIAS, SANTA TECLA BC, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL