Liga MB Round 18: San Salvador beat Fantasmas in the most crucial game of the week

The Regular Season in Liga MB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in San Salvador. Second ranked San Salvador faced one of their biggest challengers Fantasmas. Host San Salvador (13-1) defeated guests from San Vicente (10-6) 128-122. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Fantasmas. San Salvador forced 19 Fantasmas turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 41 assists. The best player for the winners was Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who had a double-double by scoring 53 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 7 assists. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-86, college: Miles) chipped in 24 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who recorded a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. San Salvador have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-1 record behind leader Aguila. Fantasmas at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. San Salvador are looking forward to face Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round. Fantasmas will play against Brujos in Izalco and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa managed to get a second victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they edged fourth-ranked Santa Ana 92-89. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Ana. It was a good game for Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-87, college: App State) who led his team to a victory with 37 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Chad Fortenberry-Miller contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Maurice Taylor (198-94, college: Niagara) replied with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for Santa Ana. Santa Ana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Chalchuapa (2-14) moved-up to ninth place. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Chalchuapa will play against higher ranked El Rapido (#8) in La Union in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santa Ana will play on the road against Cojute (#7) in Cojutepeque and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Aguila delivered the fourteenth victory on Friday night. This time they beat 10th ranked Santiagueno (1-13) 79-73. Brayan Garcia had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was EJ Blackwell with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Aguila (14-1) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Santiagueno lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. Aguila will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play against Brujos (#5) and hope to win that game.

In the last game of round 18 Brujos defeated Cojute in Izalco 82-75.

Cojute - Brujos 75-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Cojute's (4-10) home loss to sixth ranked Brujos (8-4) 75-82 on Thursday. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 42. Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (206-90, college: Millersville) had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 24 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Jeremee Davis (191-90, college: Georgia Coll.) chipped in 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Brujos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals and American center DAndre Downey (206, college: William Penn) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 18 rebounds and 6 blocks. Brujos moved-up to fifth place. Loser Cojute keeps the seventh position with ten games lost. Brujos will meet bottom-ranked Santiagueno (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Cojute will play against Santa Ana and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cojute: D.Downey 23+18reb+1ast, Z.Owens 21+16reb+6ast, C.Moten 17+3reb+2ast, N.Avalos 6+6reb+4ast, R.Jose 4+2reb+2ast, J.Gomez 2+4reb+1ast
Brujos: A.Moe 29+24reb+2ast, J.Davis 23+6reb+5ast, O.Kevin 11+2reb, R.Harrison 11+6reb+2ast, P.Andres 4+3reb+1ast, R.Santos 3

Chalchuapa - Santa Ana 92-89

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa managed to get a second victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they edged fourth-ranked Santa Ana 92-89. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Ana. It was a good game for Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-87, college: App State) who led his team to a victory with 37 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. American guard Chad Fortenberry-Miller (201-91, college: MacMurray) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Maurice Taylor (198-94, college: Niagara) replied with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) added 29 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Santa Ana. Santa Ana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Chalchuapa (2-14) moved-up to ninth place. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Chalchuapa will play against higher ranked El Rapido (#8) in La Union in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santa Ana will play on the road against Cojute (#7) in Cojutepeque and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: M.Montavious 29+13reb+3ast, M.Taylor 25+18reb+4ast, C.Benjamin 10+4reb, I.Sandoval 7+2reb+1ast, A.Gross Ruano 7+4reb, R.Erick 6
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 37+8reb, R.Miranda 21+2reb, C.Fortenberry-Miller 18+10reb+1ast, M.Gonzalez 9+3reb, W.Wiley 7+13reb, A.Christopher 0

Santiagueno - Aguila 73-79

Leader Aguila delivered the fourteenth victory on Friday night. This time they beat 10th ranked Santiagueno (1-13) 79-73. Aguila forced 25 Santiagueno turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Aguila made 7 blocks. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-98) had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Lee Vasquez (176-91) chipped in 19 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Five Aguila players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import Xavier Eaglin (201-97, college: PVAMU) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Aguila (14-1) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Santiagueno lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. Aguila will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play against Brujos (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: E.Blackwell 27+15reb+5ast, S.Esperanza 16+1reb+1ast, X.Eaglin 13+11reb+2ast, S.Moises 6+3reb, A.Alex 5+2reb, B.Castellon 4+5reb+4ast
Aguila: B.Garcia 20+10reb+1ast, V.Lee 19+5reb+6ast, C.Delgado 14+6reb+1ast, O.Rivera 11+4reb+2ast, J.Barahona 11+4reb+9ast, R.Trebucq 4+6reb+1ast

San Salvador - Fantasmas 128-122

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in San Salvador. Second ranked San Salvador faced one of their biggest challengers Fantasmas. Host San Salvador (13-1) defeated guests from San Vicente (10-6) 128-122. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Fantasmas. San Salvador forced 19 Fantasmas turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 41 assists. The best player for the winners was Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) who had a double-double by scoring 53 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 7 assists. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-86, college: Miles) chipped in 24 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who recorded a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists and his fellow American import Nick Moore (198-91, college: Nyack) added 28 points and 13 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. San Salvador have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-1 record behind leader Aguila. Fantasmas at the other side keep the third place with six games lost. San Salvador are looking forward to face Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round. Fantasmas will play against Brujos in Izalco and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: S.Swint 35+2reb+5ast, R.Bell 30+12reb+12ast, N.Moore 28+13reb+2ast, H.Carlos 12+3reb+2ast, M.Francisco 10+4reb+5ast, C.Sorto 7+9reb+4ast
San Salvador: B.Polanco 53+15reb+7ast, J.Cross 26+6reb+3ast, E.Ishman 24+8reb+3ast, E.Escalante 11+2reb+12ast, S.Bandek 8+4reb+9ast, R.Palma 4+4ast



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