Liga MB Round 15: Fantasmas edge Santa Tecla by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 15 in the Liga MB took place in San Vicente. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Santa Tecla (7-5) to sixth ranked Fantasmas (8-5) 84-82 on Thursday evening. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded Fantasmas 61-33 including a 26-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) who scored 29 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Nick Moore (198-91, college: Nyack) chipped in 18 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who recorded 9 points and 21 rebounds. Santa Tecla's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Fantasmas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Defending champion Santa Tecla dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Fantasmas are again looking forward to face Santa Tecla (#6) on the road in the next round. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Leader Aguila delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 7th ranked Cojute (3-9) 80-65 in San Miguel. It was a good game for Argentinian Ramiro Trebucq (204-95) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Martin Ramos contributed with 13 points and 9 assists for the winners. American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Cojute. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguila (13-1) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place. Cojute at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Leader Aguila recorded the thirteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 10th ranked Chalchuapa (1-12) 79-67 in San Miguel. It was a great evening for Brayan Garcia who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 23 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Willie Wiley with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. Chalchuapa's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Aguila. They maintain first place with 13-1 record. Loser Chalchuapa stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Aguila will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play against Santiagueno (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Santiagueno was crushed by San Salvador in a road game 105-65. Cojute was beaten by Fantasmas at home 82-87. San Salvador won against El Rapido on the opponent's court 119-101.

Fantasmas - Santa Tecla 84-82

The most exciting game of round 15 in the Liga MB took place in San Vicente. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Santa Tecla (7-5) to sixth ranked Fantasmas (8-5) 84-82 on Thursday evening. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded Fantasmas 61-33 including a 26-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) who scored 29 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Nick Moore (198-91, college: Nyack) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds. Four Fantasmas players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who recorded 9 points and 21 rebounds and center Diego Hernandez (193-91) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Santa Tecla's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Fantasmas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place. Defending champion Santa Tecla dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Fantasmas are again looking forward to face Santa Tecla (#6) on the road in the next round. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: S.Swint 29+4reb+5ast, R.Bell 21+8reb+3ast, N.Moore 18+15reb+1ast, C.Sorto 14+4reb+1ast, J.Castillo 2+2reb+1ast, A.Victor 0
Santa Tecla: A.Smith 15+8reb+2ast, D.Hernandez 14+11reb+1ast, M.Lahud 12+5reb+6ast, K.Martinez 10+1reb+2ast, A.Smart 9+21reb, K.Gutierrez 9+6reb

Aguila - Cojute 80-65

Leader Aguila delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 7th ranked Cojute (3-9) 80-65 in San Miguel. Aguila made 22-of-28 charity shots (78.6 percent) during the game. Aguila had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for Argentinian Ramiro Trebucq (204-95) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Point guard Martin Ramos (171-92) contributed with 13 points and 9 assists for the winners. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American guard Chris Moten (190-89, college: LA Pierce JC) added 24 points in the effort for Cojute. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguila (13-1) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place. Cojute at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aguila: R.Trebucq 18+13reb+1ast, V.Lee 15+5reb+1ast, C.Delgado 14+6reb+1ast, M.Ramos 13+3reb+9ast, B.Garcia 7+6reb+1ast, J.Barahona 6+1reb+3ast
Cojute: C.Moten 24+3reb, Z.Owens 15+10reb+4ast, R.Melendez 9+1reb, D.Downey 8+12reb, N.Avalos 4+4reb+4ast, J.Gomez 2+4reb+3ast

San Salvador - Santiagueno 105-65

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Santiagueno (1-10) was crushed on the road by second ranked San Salvador (11-1) 105-65 on Friday. San Salvador forced 24 Santiagueno turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Santiagueno's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when San Salvador made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-86, college: Miles) helped adding 13 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks. San Salvador's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was American Xavier Eaglin (201-97, college: PVAMU) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for San Salvador. They maintain second place with 11-1 record having 2 victories less than leader Aguila. Santiagueno lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with ten games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play against Chalchuapa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Polanco 42+16reb, L.Valle 15+2reb+5ast, E.Ishman 13+16reb+4ast, K.Mejia 8+4reb, J.Cross 7+5reb+1ast, I.Andaluz 7+1reb+2ast
Santiagueno: X.Eaglin 25+14reb+3ast, E.Blackwell 18+5reb+4ast, S.Esperanza 12+9reb+1ast, A.Alex 4+3reb+1ast, M.Jose 2+5reb, M.Mario 2+1reb+1ast

Cojute - Fantasmas 82-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Fantasmas' (8-5) road victory over 7th ranked Cojute (3-9) 87-82 on Saturday. They outrebounded Cojute 54-38 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) helped adding 32 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists and center DAndre Downey (206, college: William Penn) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. Cojute's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Fantasmas. They moved-up to fourth place. Loser Cojute keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Fantasmas will meet Santa Tecla (#6) on the road in the next round. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: S.Swint 32+10reb+2ast, R.Bell 26+13reb+6ast, N.Moore 22+15reb+1ast, H.Carlos 3+1reb, C.Sorto 2+5reb, J.Castillo 2+4reb
Cojute: Z.Owens 28+10reb+9ast, C.Moten 21+1ast, D.Downey 19+17reb+3ast, R.Jose 5, R.Melendez 4+3reb+2ast, N.Avalos 3+6reb+3ast

El Rapido - San Salvador 101-119

Very expected game in La Union where 8th ranked El Rapido (2-10) was defeated by second ranked San Salvador (11-1) 119-101 on Saturday. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to El Rapido's 60. They outrebounded El Rapido 49-31 including 37 on the defensive glass. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who led his team to a victory scoring 39 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-86, college: Miles) helped adding 22 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American Reggie Baker (193-93, college: BCU) with 28 points and 5 rebounds and Cesar Marquina (190-97) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. El Rapido's coach let to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for San Salvador. They maintain second place with 11-1 record having 2 victories less than leader Aguila. El Rapido lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with ten games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. El Rapido will play against Santa Ana (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Polanco 39+9reb+3ast, E.Ishman 22+15reb+5ast, S.Bandek 18+6reb+4ast, J.Cross 17+10reb+3ast, R.Palma 14+1reb+2ast, L.Valle 8+2reb+1ast
El Rapido: R.Baker 28+5reb+3ast, C.Marquina 19+6reb+1ast, E.Contreras 15+3reb, T.Baker 11+2reb+4ast, G.Martinez 11+8reb+1ast, L.Francisco 7+1reb+1ast

Aguila - Chalchuapa 79-67

Leader Aguila recorded the thirteenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 10th ranked Chalchuapa (1-12) 79-67 in San Miguel. Aguila outrebounded Chalchuapa 49-32 including 17 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for power forward Brayan Garcia (194-98) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 23 rebounds and 4 assists. Lee Vasquez (176-91) helped adding 16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. The best for the losing side was American forward Willie Wiley (201, college: Evansville) with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-87, college: App State) scored 21 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Chalchuapa's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Aguila. They maintain first place with 13-1 record. Loser Chalchuapa stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Aguila will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play against Santiagueno (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aguila: V.Lee 16+8reb+6ast, C.Delgado 16+6reb+1ast, B.Garcia 15+23reb+4ast, O.Rivera 10+2reb, J.Barahona 9+4reb+5ast, R.Trebucq 8+3reb+1ast
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 21+3reb+3ast, W.Wiley 19+11reb, M.Gonzalez 11+5reb+3ast, C.Fortenberry-Miller 10+9reb+3ast, F.Salazar 6+2reb, L.Fernando 0+1reb



Tags : SAMEEN SWINT, FANTASMAS DE SAN VICENTE, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL