Liga MB Round 11: San Salvador hands first defeat to Santa Tecla

The round was rather attractive and full of interesting results. The round ended with defeat of the leader. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Santa Tecla (12-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked San Salvador on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by San Salvador 99-95. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded San Salvador 54-33 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds. Naturalized American point guard Roberto Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) chipped in 21 points and 8 assists. Guard Brian Vasquez (190) produced 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the guests. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana. Defending champion Santa Tecla still keeps top position with one game lost. San Salvador is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Santa Tecla will play against Brujos (#6) in Izalco and is hoping to win this game.
Fifth-ranked Brujos (4-8) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Cojute (8-5) in Cojutepeque. Cojute managed to secure only one-point victory 91-90. However their fans expected easier game. American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds. Shahmel Brackett contributed with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 16 rebounds for Brujos. Cojute have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 8-5 record. Brujos at the other side dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. Cojute will play against league's second-placed Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Brujos will play against Fantasmas (#7) in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Santa Tecla delivered the twelfth victory on Tuesday night. This time they crushed 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-10) 110-64. It was a great evening for Brian Vasquez who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Santa Tecla's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Justin Philippe responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first place with 12-1 record. Fantasmas lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Santa Tecla will meet Brujos (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Fantasmas will play against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in San Miguel was also worth to mention about. Third ranked San Salvador (9-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Aguila (4-7). San Salvador managed to secure a 5-point victory 92-87. It was an exceptional evening for Chris Blake who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana. Aguila at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. San Salvador's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#8) at home which should be theoretically an easy game. Aguila will play against Chalchuapa and hope to win that game.
The game in Chalchuapa supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Santa Ana (9-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Chalchuapa (1-10). Santa Ana smashed Chalchuapa 122-74 on Wednesday. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was Ron Lawton who had a triple-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 10 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. Santa Ana moved-up to second place, which they share with San Salvador. Chalchuapa lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with ten games lost. Santa Ana will face Cojute (#4) in Cojutepeque in the next round. Chalchuapa will play at home against Aguila (#5) and hope to win that game.

In the last game of round 11 Fantasmas was defeated by Santa Ana in a road game 117-104.
The best stats of 11th round was 28 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks by Marc Montavious of Santa Ana.

San Salvador - Santa Tecla 99-95

Santa Tecla (12-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked San Salvador on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by San Salvador 99-95. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded San Salvador 54-33 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds. Naturalized American point guard Roberto Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) chipped in 21 points and 8 assists. Martinez is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Guard Brian Vasquez (190) produced 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and center Brayan Garcia (194-98) added 13 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Four Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana. Defending champion Santa Tecla still keeps top position with one game lost. San Salvador is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Santa Tecla will play against Brujos (#6) in Izalco and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 36+8reb+4ast, L.Valdez 16+6reb+2ast, B.Garcia 13+9reb+5ast, D.Jaramillo 12+5reb+3ast, L.Valle 7+1ast, C.Arias 6+8reb+1ast
San Salvador: C.Blake 25+11reb+3ast, J.Torres 23+5reb+1ast, R.Martinez 21+1reb+8ast, M.Ramos 9+5ast, R.Palma 9+8reb+1ast, E.Escalante 8+3reb+2ast

Santa Ana - Fantasmas 117-104

There was no surprise when 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-10) were defeated on the road by third ranked Santa Ana (9-4) 117-104 on Sunday. Santa Ana shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) who had a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. Forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) chipped in 42 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. Santa Ana's coach let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Harrison Rieger (193-98) produced a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds and forward Justin Philippe (201-91, college: TAMUK) added 25 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Santa Ana moved-up to second place, which they share with San Salvador. Fantasmas lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Santa Ana will face Cojute (#4) in Cojutepeque in the next round. Fantasmas will play at home against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: R.Harrison 36+11reb, J.Philippe 25+11reb+1ast, C.Sorto 15+5reb+1ast, M.Josue 9+4reb, H.Carlos 6+1reb+1ast, F.Martinez 4+1reb+1ast
Santa Ana: R.Lawton 42+9reb+3ast, E.Ishman 30+16reb+10ast, C.Benjamin 22+11reb+2ast, W.Molina 6+1reb, M.Melvin 5, M.Tejada 4+4reb

Aguila - San Salvador 87-92

The game in San Miguel was also worth to mention about. Third ranked San Salvador (9-4) played at the court of 5th ranked Aguila (4-7). San Salvador managed to secure a 5-point victory 92-87. It was an exceptional evening for American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized American point guard Roberto Martinez (185-91, college: OLLU) accounted for 25 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Martinez is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-92, college: PR-Bayamon) came up with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) added 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Aguila in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. San Salvador have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana. Aguila at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. San Salvador's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#8) at home which should be theoretically an easy game. Aguila will play against Chalchuapa and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Aguila: O.Torres 25+7reb+4ast, V.Carattini 22+8reb+7ast, M.Aguilar 19+8reb+1ast, C.Marquina 12+12reb+1ast, V.Lee 5+2reb+6ast, E.Contreras 4+1ast
San Salvador: R.Martinez 25+3reb+5ast, C.Blake 24+15reb+4ast, J.Torres 18+8reb+2ast, E.Escalante 16+4reb+1ast, R.Palma 5+1reb+1ast, G.Sosa 4+1reb

Santa Tecla - Fantasmas 110-64

Leader Santa Tecla delivered the twelfth victory on Tuesday night. This time they crushed 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-10) 110-64. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 38. Santa Tecla forced 24 Fantasmas turnovers and outrebounded them 65-34 including a 27-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Fantasmas' players. It was a great evening for guard Brian Vasquez (190) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) helped adding 10 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Four 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. American forward Justin Philippe (201-91, college: TAMUK) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Harrison Rieger (193-98) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first place with 12-1 record. Fantasmas lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Santa Tecla will meet Brujos (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Fantasmas will play against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: M.Josue 12+1reb+1ast, R.Harrison 12+8reb+3ast, J.Philippe 11+10reb+3ast, H.Carlos 9+3reb+2ast, J.Nelson 7+3reb, C.Sorto 5+4reb
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 28+6reb+6ast, L.Valdez 19+2reb+1ast, L.Portal 11+5reb+1ast, O.Perez 10+13reb+5ast, L.Valle 7+3reb+3ast, C.Alas 7+2reb+1ast

Cojute - Brujos 91-90

Fifth-ranked Brujos (4-8) made lots of trouble for fourth ranked Cojute (8-5) in Cojutepeque. Cojute managed to secure only one-point victory 91-90. However their fans expected easier game. Cojute players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds. His fellow American import Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) contributed with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 16 rebounds and naturalized Canadian Jose Araujo (187-86, college: UNBC, agency: Interperformances) added 23 points and 5 assists in the effort for Brujos. Cojute have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 8-5 record. Brujos at the other side dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. Cojute will play against league's second-placed Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Brujos will play against Fantasmas (#7) in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brujos: A.Moe 32+16reb+1ast, J.Araujo 23+3reb+5ast, O.Oliva 21+3reb+5ast, G.Galdamez 7+1reb+1ast, T.Carter 4+11reb+2ast, M.Lahud 3+2reb+7ast
Cojute: A.Smith 24+16reb+3ast, S.Brackett 20+5reb+8ast, K.Martinez 16+4reb+4ast, J.Young 14+8reb+1ast, N.Avalos 9+6reb+3ast, J.Maria Rivas 6

Chalchuapa - Santa Ana 74-122

The game in Chalchuapa supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Santa Ana (9-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Chalchuapa (1-10). Santa Ana smashed Chalchuapa 122-74 on Wednesday. Santa Ana dominated down low during the game scoring 88 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 48. Santa Ana forced 22 Chalchuapa turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Ana made 9 blocks. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) who had a triple-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) chipped in a triple-double by scoring 18 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals. Five Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Forward Jose Ortiz (190-90, college: DelVal) produced a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds and guard Chad Fortenberry-Miller (201-91, college: MacMurray) added 9 points and 14 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Santa Ana moved-up to second place, which they share with San Salvador. Chalchuapa lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with ten games lost. Santa Ana will face Cojute (#4) in Cojutepeque in the next round. Chalchuapa will play at home against Aguila (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: J.Ortiz 37+14reb+2ast, F.Marcus 9+7reb, C.Fortenberry-Miller 9+14reb+1ast, O.Loy 5+1reb, M.Gonzalez 5+5reb+5ast, D.Valle Fernando 5+3reb+1ast
Santa Ana: R.Lawton 37+12reb+10ast, M.Montavious 28+13reb+3ast, E.Ishman 18+21reb+12ast, C.Benjamin 11+3reb+3ast, M.Tejada 10+3reb+2ast, I.Sandoval 8+3reb+1ast



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