Liga MB Round 19 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Round 19 most important game was a victory of Isidro Metapan over 3rd placed San Salvador 74-73 on Sunday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican center Miguel Evangelista (210-91) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) contributed with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) answered with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for San Salvador. Isidro Metapan have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Quezaltepeque. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost.
Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (13-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Santa Ana (3-13) 119-91. It was a great evening for forward Diego Hernandez (193-91) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 20 rebounds. Eduardo Escalante helped adding 21 points and 6 assists. Santa Tecla's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) responded with 56 points (!!!) and 7 steals. Santa Tecla have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 13-3 record. Santa Ana at the other side stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost.
The game in San Miguel was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Brujos Izalco (8-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Aguila (6-10). Aguila managed to secure a 5-point victory 98-93 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for Luis Almonte who led the winners and scored 39 points (!!!). JaCarre Crockett came up with 39 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds for Brujos Izalco in the defeat. Aguila maintains sixth place with 6-10 record. Loser Brujos Izalco keeps the fifth position with eight games lost.

Other games in round 19 were not that significant. Cojute was smashed by Isidro Metapan on the road 99-79. San Salvador won against Halcones on its own court 83-78. Aguila unfortunately lost to Quezaltepeque in a road game 76-82.

Santa Tecla - Santa Ana 119-91

Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (13-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Santa Ana (3-13) 119-91. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 40. Santa Tecla forced 22 Santa Ana turnovers and outrebounded them 60-31 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Santa Ana's players. It was a great evening for forward Diego Hernandez (193-91) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 20 rebounds. Eduardo Escalante (181-93) helped adding 21 points and 6 assists. Five Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. Santa Tecla's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) responded with 56 points (!!!) and 7 steals and William Molina (183-94) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Santa Tecla have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 13-3 record. Santa Ana at the other side stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: C.Alas 22+1reb+3ast, E.Escalante 21+3reb+6ast, O.Perez 15+7reb, L.Portal 15+10reb+1ast, L.Maza 11+1reb, D.Hernandez 11+20reb+2ast
Santa Ana: L.Vazquez 56+4reb+3ast, W.Molina 10+8reb+3ast, R.Erick 8+3reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 6+4reb, R.Aguiar 6+6reb, R.Luis 3+1ast

Isidro Metapan - Cojute 99-79

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Isidro Metapan (11-5) crushed at home 7th ranked Cojute (5-11) 99-79 on Friday. Isidro Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) who led the winners and scored 32 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Venezuelan forward Jovanni Diaz (203-90) accounted for 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Four Isidro Metapan players scored in double figures. American center Daniel Robinson (213-93, college: Norfolk St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 18 rebounds and the other American import forward Quincy Scates (198-89, college: Tenn Wesleyan) added 31 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Cojute in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Isidro Metapan. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Quezaltepeque. Cojute lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. They share it with Halcones.
Top scorers:
Isidro Metapan: C.Blake 32+9reb+5ast, J.Diaz 19+5reb+6ast, M.Evangelista 14+12reb+2ast, J.Colorado 10+2reb+3ast, M.Ramos 9+1reb+10ast, A.Regalado 9+1reb
Cojute: Q.Scates 31+8reb+3ast, D.Robinson 26+18reb+2ast, J.Gomez 7+4reb+2ast, K.Gutierrez 5+2reb, B.Rivera 5+1reb+1ast, C.Orellana 3

San Salvador - Halcones 83-78

Very expected game when 7th ranked Halcones (5-11) lost on the road to third ranked San Salvador (10-6) 83-78 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. It was an exceptional evening for Panamanian Jonathan King (193-90, college: Abil.Christian) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) accounted for 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. San Salvador's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American point guard Marcus Thomas (191-95, college: Rosemont) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists and M Aguilar added 14 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Halcones in the defeat. Four Halcones players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for San Salvador. Despite that victory San Salvador went down to fourth position due to points difference. Loser Halcones keep the seventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Cojute.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: J.King 24+10reb+4ast, R.Martinez 21+1reb+4ast, M.Cairo 15+14reb+4ast, D.King 6+13reb+4ast, D.Rivas 5+1ast, O.Rivera 5+1reb+2ast
Halcones: M.Thomas 21+7reb+10ast, I.Urrutia 15+4reb+1ast, A.M 14+9reb+2ast, A.Cleveland 10+12reb+2ast, R.Miranda 8+1reb+1ast, F.Martinez 6

Quezaltepeque - Aguila 82-76

Rather predictable result when third ranked Quezaltepeque (11-5) won against at home 6th ranked Aguila (6-10) 82-76 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for O Torres who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds. Cuban Jordanis Jaca (195-83) accounted for 23 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Quezaltepeque's coach let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (178-87) came up with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Luis Almonte (187-88) added 20 points respectively for Aguila in the defeat. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. Quezaltepeque moved-up to second place, which they share with Isidro Metapan. Aguila lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Quezaltepeque: T.O 25+10reb+2ast, J.Jaca 23+11reb+1ast, D.Bairez 8+3reb+4ast, M.Bryan 7+1ast, B.Garcia 7+2reb, E.Lima 7+13reb+4ast
Aguila: O.Oliva 22+9reb+6ast, A.Luis 20+3reb+3ast, E.Ramirez 11+7reb+2ast, J.Avila 10+5reb+3ast, F.Asprilla 7+13reb+3ast, C.Marquina 4+6reb+1ast

San Salvador - Isidro Metapan 73-74

Round 19 most important game was a victory of Isidro Metapan over 3rd placed San Salvador 74-73 on Sunday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican center Miguel Evangelista (210-91) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) contributed with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Cuban swingman Marvin Cairo (201-91) answered with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and Panamanian Daniel King (203-87, college: Texas Southern) added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for San Salvador. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Isidro Metapan have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Quezaltepeque. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Isidro Metapan: M.Ramos 21+1reb+2ast, M.Evangelista 19+17reb+3ast, C.Blake 18+9reb+8ast, J.Diaz 7+7reb+1ast, J.Colorado 5+2reb, O.Coreas 4+1reb
San Salvador: M.Cairo 24+14reb+4ast, D.King 18+10reb+2ast, R.Martinez 14+6reb+3ast, J.King 14+5reb+2ast, S.Bandek 3+3reb+2ast, D.Rivas 0

Aguila - Brujos Izalco 98-93

The game in San Miguel was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Brujos Izalco (8-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Aguila (6-10). Aguila managed to secure a 5-point victory 98-93 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for forward Luis Almonte (187-88) who led the winners and scored 39 points (!!!). Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (178-87) accounted for 26 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winning side. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. American swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) came up with 39 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) added 19 points, 23 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Brujos Izalco in the defeat. Aguila maintains sixth place with 6-10 record. Loser Brujos Izalco keeps the fifth position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Aguila: A.Luis 39+4reb+2ast, O.Oliva 26+5reb+8ast, J.Avila 16+14reb+2ast, H.Jaimes 15+2reb+3ast, E.Ramirez 2+7reb+2ast, F.Juan 0
Brujos Izalco: J.Crockett 39+7reb+3ast, A.Smart 19+23reb+5ast, J.Araujo 10+4reb+3ast, C.Torres 9, J.Angulo 6+3reb+1ast, E.Aguilar 6+2ast



Tags : MIGUEL EVANGELISTA, AD ISIDRO METAPAN, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL