Liga MB Round 2: Santa Tecla keeps a leadership position

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in Liga MB. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Santa Tecla defeated Cojute at home 111-104. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 46. Santa Tecla forced 19 Cojute turnovers and outrebounded them 50-38 including 18 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Cojute helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Brian Vasquez (190) chipped in 36 points (!!!). American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) produced a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cojute will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Santa Tecla will try to continue on its current victory against San Salvador at home.
Brujos recorded a loss on the court of Santa Ana. Visitors were defeated by Santa Ana 95-83. American forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. Eddie Ishman contributed with 17 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) replied with 16 points and 9 rebounds for Brujos. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Santa Ana will play against Aguila in San Miguel in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brujos will play at home against San Salvador to get more than just one victory in their record.
A very close game took place in San Miguel between Aguila and Cojute. Aguila got a very close home victory over Cojute. Aguila managed to escape with a 3-point win 95-92 on Tuesday evening. Lee Vasquez scored 34 points (!!!) and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners. Shahmel Brackett responded with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Cojute's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Aguila will meet Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cojute will have a break next round.
The game in Chalchuapa supposed to be also worth to mention about. Santa Tecla played at the court of Chalchuapa. Santa Tecla smashed Chalchuapa 103-51. Owens Perez notched a double-double by scoring 13 points and 26 rebounds to lead the effort. Santa Tecla's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Santa Tecla's next round opponent will be San Salvador at home where they are favorite. Chalchuapa will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Chalchuapa - Santa Tecla 51-103

The game in Chalchuapa supposed to be also worth to mention about. Santa Tecla played at the court of Chalchuapa. Santa Tecla smashed Chalchuapa 103-51. Santa Tecla held Chalchuapa to an opponent 22.1 percent shooting from the field compared to 55.6 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 57-35 including a 37-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Tecla players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 3 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) notched a double-double by scoring 13 points and 26 rebounds to lead the effort and center Carlos Arias (200-89) supported him with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Five Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. Santa Tecla's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 22 points and 23 rebounds by American forward Marcus Feagin (192-91) did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. His fellow American import forward Jose Ortiz (190-90, college: DelVal) added 25 points for the hosts. Santa Tecla's next round opponent will be San Salvador at home where they are favorite. Chalchuapa will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: J.Ortiz 25+4reb, F.Marcus 22+23reb+2ast, D.Paiz 2+3reb, D.Valle Fernando 2, B.Juan 0, Q.Daniel 0
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 22+1reb+3ast, C.Arias 14+9reb+6ast, O.Perez 13+26reb+3ast, B.Garcia 12+7reb+1ast, L.Valle 12+3reb+1ast, L.Portal 9+3reb+1ast

Aguila - Cojute 95-92

A very close game took place in San Miguel between Aguila and Cojute. Aguila got a very close home victory over Cojute. Aguila managed to escape with a 3-point win 95-92 on Tuesday evening. Lee Vasquez (177-91) scored 34 points (!!!) and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Ronald Patten (201-93, college: UW-Whitewater) chipped in 25 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. American Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) responded with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Jordan Gerardo (187-96) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Cojute's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Aguila will meet Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: S.Brackett 35+6reb+4ast, G.Jordan 19+15reb, A.Smith 18+11reb+1ast, N.Avalos 6+1reb+4ast, K.Martinez 4+4reb+2ast, E.Rodriguez 4+1reb
Aguila: V.Lee 34+3reb+7ast, R.Patten 25+13reb+1ast, M.Aguilar 18+6reb+1ast, C.Marquina 7+4reb, C.Hernandez 4+8reb+2ast, E.Contreras 4+6reb+3ast

Santa Ana - Brujos 95-83

Brujos recorded a loss on the court of Santa Ana. Visitors were defeated by Santa Ana 95-83. Santa Ana forced 20 Brujos turnovers. They brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. American forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) replied with 16 points and 9 rebounds and Santos Romero (185-90) added 21 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Brujos. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Santa Ana will play against Aguila in San Miguel in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brujos will play at home against San Salvador to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Brujos: R.Santos 21+5reb+1ast, T.Carter 16+9reb+2ast, J.Araujo 16+4reb, W.Nethan 6+11reb, A.Merino 5+9reb, G.Galdamez 4+2reb
Santa Ana: R.Lawton 28+10reb, M.Montavious 20+10reb+1ast, E.Ishman 17+15reb+2ast, M.Tejada 9, A.Gross Ruano 6+1ast, M.Ramos 6+1reb+2ast

Santa Tecla - Cojute 111-104

Santa Tecla defeated Cojute at home 111-104. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 46. Santa Tecla forced 19 Cojute turnovers and outrebounded them 50-38 including 18 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Cojute helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Brian Vasquez (190) chipped in 36 points (!!!). Four Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) produced a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) added 31 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cojute will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Santa Tecla will try to continue on its current victory against San Salvador at home.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Smith 35+17reb+4ast, S.Brackett 31+4reb+4ast, G.Jordan 16+11reb, N.Avalos 8+1reb+2ast, K.Martinez 7+1reb+4ast, J.Gomez 2
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 36+2reb+3ast, O.Perez 18+18reb+7ast, B.Garcia 15+11reb+1ast, C.Arias 10+10reb+1ast, L.Portal 9+1ast, A.Arias 6+1ast



Tags : ANDRAVIOUS SMITH, CLUB DE BALONCESTO COJUTE, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL