Liga MB Round 18: Halcones edge Quezaltepeque by three points

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in Liga MB. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga MB took place in Sonzacate. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-best Quezaltepeque (10-5) to eighth ranked Halcones (5-10) 100-97 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Quezaltepeque. Halcones made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Marcus Thomas (191-95, college: Rosemont) who had a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Ronald Patten (201-93, college: Wisc.-Whitewater) chipped in 30 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was O Torres who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Halcones moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Cojute. Quezaltepeque at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Halcones is looking forward to face higher ranked San Salvador (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Quezaltepeque will play against Aguila and is hoping to win this game.
Leader Santa Tecla delivered the twelfth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Cojute (5-10) 96-79 in Cojutepeque. It was a good game for Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who led his team to a victory with 30 points and 5 rebounds. Carlos Arias contributed with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American point guard Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNC Pembroke) replied with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Cojute. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Tecla (12-3) have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with ten games lost. They share the position with Halcones. Santa Tecla will play against bottom-ranked Santa Ana (#9) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will play against Isidro Metapan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Metapan. Local Isidro Metapan (9-5) outscored 9th ranked Santa Ana (3-12) 128-81 on Wednesday night. Miguel Evangelista had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds (on 13-of-14 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners. Isidro Metapan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Lee Vazquez with 60 points (!!!). Isidro Metapan moved-up to third place, which they share with San Salvador. Loser Santa Ana stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Isidro Metapan will meet San Salvador (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santa Ana will play against the league's leader Santa Tecla (#1) and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 18 Brujos Izalco was defeated by Quezaltepeque in a road game 73-68.

Cojute - Santa Tecla 79-96

Leader Santa Tecla delivered the twelfth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Cojute (5-10) 96-79 in Cojutepeque. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 38. They outrebounded Cojute 45-28 including a 31-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Tecla players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was a good game for Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who led his team to a victory with 30 points and 5 rebounds. Center Carlos Arias (200-89) contributed with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American point guard Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNC Pembroke) replied with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import forward Quincy Scates (198-89, college: Tenn Wesleyan) added 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Cojute. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Tecla (12-3) have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with ten games lost. They share the position with Halcones. Santa Tecla will play against bottom-ranked Santa Ana (#9) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will play against Isidro Metapan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: O.Perez 30+5reb+2ast, C.Arias 15+8reb+4ast, L.Valle 15+8reb, Y.Molina 8+2reb+4ast, L.Maza 8+5reb+8ast, A.Arias 8+3reb+4ast
Cojute: S.Brackett 35+8reb+4ast, Q.Scates 21+5reb+4ast, D.Robinson 10+8reb+5ast, R.M 6+1reb+1ast, M.Artiga 4+1reb+1ast, R.Alvarez 2+2reb

Quezaltepeque - Brujos Izalco 73-68

There was no surprise when 5th ranked Brujos Izalco (8-7) was defeated on the road by second ranked Quezaltepeque (10-5) 73-68 on Tuesday. Quezaltepeque forced 19 Brujos Izalco turnovers. O Torres had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Cuban Jordanis Jaca (195-83) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Five Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 23 rebounds and American swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) scored 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Quezaltepeque have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 10-5 record having just two points less than leader Santa Tecla. Loser Brujos Izalco keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Quezaltepeque will meet at home Aguila (#6) in the next round. Brujos Izalco will play against Aguila in San Miguel and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
QUEZALTEPEQUE: T.O 25+14reb+5ast, J.Jaca 11+11reb+2ast, E.Lima 11+10reb+2ast, A.Barahona 11+2reb+1ast, B.Garcia 10+7reb, R.Santos 4+4reb
Brujos Izalco: J.Crockett 23+6reb+5ast, A.Smart 16+23reb+1ast, J.Angulo 11+3reb+6ast, J.Araujo 7+4reb+1ast, E.Aguilar 6+2reb+1ast, P.Kevin 3+1reb+1ast

Isidro Metapan - Santa Ana 128-81

The game with biggest result difference took place in Metapan. Local Isidro Metapan (9-5) outscored 9th ranked Santa Ana (3-12) 128-81 on Wednesday night. Isidro Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 94 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 26. They outrebounded Santa Ana 52-26 including a 38-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Isidro Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 38 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Santa Ana's players. Dominican center Miguel Evangelista (210-91) had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds (on 13-of-14 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Venezuelan forward Jovanni Diaz (203-90) chipped in 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Four Isidro Metapan players scored in double figures. Isidro Metapan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) with 60 points (!!!) and William Molina (183-94) scored 8 points. Isidro Metapan moved-up to third place, which they share with San Salvador. Loser Santa Ana stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Isidro Metapan will meet San Salvador (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santa Ana will play against the league's leader Santa Tecla (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Isidro Metapan: J.Diaz 30+10reb+6ast, M.Evangelista 28+17reb+2ast, J.Colorado 21+2reb+2ast, C.Blake 15+2reb+9ast, M.Ramos 9+12ast, O.Coreas 8+10reb+1ast
Santa Ana: L.Vazquez 60+3reb+1ast, W.Molina 8+4reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 4+6reb+2ast, M.Melvin 3+1reb, E.Mendoza 2+1reb+1ast, J.Cuestas 2+5reb

Halcones - Quezaltepeque 100-97

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga MB took place in Sonzacate. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-best Quezaltepeque (10-5) to eighth ranked Halcones (5-10) 100-97 on Thursday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Quezaltepeque. Halcones made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Marcus Thomas (191-95, college: Rosemont) who had a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Ronald Patten (201-93, college: Wisc.-Whitewater) chipped in a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was O Torres who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and Cuban Jordanis Jaca (195-83) added 24 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Halcones moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Cojute. Quezaltepeque at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Halcones is looking forward to face higher ranked San Salvador (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Quezaltepeque will play against Aguila and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Halcones: M.Thomas 41+13reb+5ast, R.Patten 30+15reb+2ast, A.M 16+5reb+4ast, R.Miranda 6+1reb, A.Cleveland 4+7reb, E.Navarrete 3+1reb+1ast
Quezaltepeque: T.O 35+12reb+1ast, J.Jaca 24+11reb+2ast, E.Lima 15+5reb+1ast, D.Bairez 8+9reb+5ast, B.Garcia 8+8reb+1ast, E.Paiz 3+1reb+1ast



Tags : MARCUS THOMAS, HALCONES DE SONZACATE, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL