Liga MB Round 19: Fantasmas defeat Brujos in the game between Top 4 teams

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Fantasmas (11-6) which hosted in San Vicente 4th placed Brujos (9-5). Third ranked Fantasmas managed to get a 14-point victory 98-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Brujos. Fantasmas forced 21 Brujos turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists and 8 steals. His fellow American import guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) contributed with 34 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (206-90, college: Millersville) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 20 rebounds for Brujos. Fantasmas maintains third place with 11-6 record having just one point less than leader Aguila. Brujos at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. Fantasmas are looking forward to face El Rapido (#8) in La Union in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Brujos will have a break next round.
The game in Santa Ana was also worth to mention about. Second ranked San Salvador (14-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Santa Ana (9-7). San Salvador defeated Santa Ana 90-76. It was a great evening for American power forward Jacara Cross (204-98, college: JSU, agency: Ballerz Unlimited LLC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Bernardo Polanco helped adding 24 points. At the losing side American center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds. Santa Ana's coach rotated eleven players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aguila. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Cojutepeque supposed to be also quite interesting. 5th ranked Santa Ana (9-7) played at the court of seventh ranked Cojute (5-10). Cojute smashed Santa Ana 91-67 on Sunday. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for Zekiah Owens who led the winners and scored 28 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Maurice Taylor came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists for Santa Ana in the defeat. Santa Ana's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Cojute maintains seventh place with 5-10 record. Santa Ana lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Cojute will meet higher ranked Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santa Ana will have a break next round.

Other games in round 19 were not that significant. Chalchuapa was smashed by El Rapido on the road 123-87. Brujos destroyed Santiagueno on its own court 131-67. El Rapido was outscored by Santa Tecla in a road game 98-60.

Santa Ana - San Salvador 76-90

The game in Santa Ana was also worth to mention about. Second ranked San Salvador (14-1) played at the court of 5th ranked Santa Ana (9-7). San Salvador defeated Santa Ana 90-76. It was a great evening for American power forward Jacara Cross (204-98, college: JSU, agency: Ballerz Unlimited LLC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Dominican guard Bernardo Polanco (189-94) helped adding 24 points. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. At the losing side American center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds and guard Benjamin Colocho (186-99) scored 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Santa Ana's coach rotated eleven players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Aguila. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Polanco 24+4reb+2ast, J.Cross 23+10reb+3ast, E.Ishman 16+12reb+2ast, S.Bandek 14+4reb+5ast, E.Escalante 11+5reb+4ast, L.Valle 2+4reb+1ast
Santa Ana: M.Montavious 27+15reb+1ast, C.Benjamin 14+6reb+5ast, A.Gross Ruano 14+2reb+1ast, I.Sandoval 8+2reb+3ast, R.Erick 7+4reb+1ast, M.Taylor 5+9reb+6ast

El Rapido - Chalchuapa 123-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eighth ranked El Rapido's (3-12) home victory over 9th ranked Chalchuapa (2-15) in La Union 123-87 on Saturday. El Rapido dominated down low during the game scoring 84 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 32. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 64-28 including a 43-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. El Rapido looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when El Rapido made 7 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for Puerto Rican center Giovanny Martinez (206, college: Jarvis Christian) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 23 rebounds and 5 blocks (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Cesar Marquina (190-97) accounted for 18 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Five El Rapido players scored in double figures. El Rapido's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-87, college: App State) came up with 48 points (!!!) and 5 assists and Mario Gonzalez (183-94) added 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Chalchuapa in the defeat. El Rapido maintains eighth place with 3-12 record. Loser Chalchuapa keeps the ninth position with 15 games lost. El Rapido will meet higher ranked Fantasmas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chalchuapa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
El Rapido: G.Martinez 26+23reb+2ast, R.Baker 22+3reb+6ast, C.Marquina 18+17reb+4ast, L.Francisco 14+2reb+2ast, M.Jimenez 12+1reb+1ast, E.Contreras 12+4ast
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 48+4reb+5ast, R.Miranda 14+3reb+4ast, M.Gonzalez 11+8reb+5ast, W.Wiley 9+8reb+4ast, A.Christopher 4+5reb, M.Carlos 0

Brujos - Santiagueno 131-67

Very expected game when 10th ranked Santiagueno (1-14) was smashed by fourth ranked Brujos (9-5) in Izalco 131-67 on Saturday. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 94 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 56. They outrebounded Santiagueno 57-38 including a 42-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. Brujos looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Santiagueno's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 17 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (206-90, college: Millersville) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 24 rebounds and 7 blocks. American point guard Jeremee Davis (191-90, college: Georgia Coll.) accounted for 26 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists for the winning side. Davis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Brujos players scored in double figures. Brujos' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) came up with 28 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import Xavier Eaglin (201-97, college: PVAMU) added 21 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks respectively for Santiagueno in the defeat. Brujos maintains fourth place with 9-5 record. Santiagueno lost their thirteenth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Brujos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play against the league's leader Aguila (#1) in San Miguel and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Brujos: A.Moe 37+24reb+1ast, J.Davis 26+8reb+13ast, R.Harrison 24+3reb+3ast, R.Santos 13+4reb+6ast, O.Kevin 12+3reb, J.Crespin 7+2reb+2ast
Santiagueno: E.Blackwell 28+8reb+3ast, X.Eaglin 21+12reb+2ast, M.Jose 7+3reb+1ast, G.Andres 3+3reb+3ast, M.Mario 2+4reb+1ast, S.Moises 2+5reb+2ast

Santa Tecla - El Rapido 98-60

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Santa Tecla (9-6) rolled over at home 8th ranked El Rapido (3-12) 98-60 on Sunday. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to El Rapido's 38. They outrebounded El Rapido 57-35 including a 44-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by El Rapido's players. It was an exceptional evening for Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 24 rebounds. Point guard Alejandro Arias (188-92) accounted for 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Four Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. American Reggie Baker (193-93, college: BCU) came up with 21 points and guard Edgar Contreras (179-1) added 14 points respectively for El Rapido in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion moved-up to fifth place. Loser El Rapido keeps the eighth position with 12 games lost. Santa Tecla will meet at home Cojute (#7) in the next round. El Rapido will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: R.Gerardo 23+2reb+4ast, A.Smart 21+24reb+1ast, A.Arias 15+9reb+6ast, L.Portal 14+1reb+3ast, P.Manuel 7+8reb+2ast, D.Hernandez 6+8reb+2ast
El Rapido: R.Baker 21+1reb, E.Contreras 14+4reb, G.Martinez 8+10reb, D.Jaramillo 8+5reb+2ast, C.Marquina 5+7reb, M.Bryan 2+3reb

Cojute - Santa Ana 91-67

The game in Cojutepeque supposed to be also quite interesting. 5th ranked Santa Ana (9-7) played at the court of seventh ranked Cojute (5-10). Cojute smashed Santa Ana 91-67 on Sunday. Cojute dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 46. Cojute forced 22 Santa Ana turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) who led the winners and scored 28 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Center DAndre Downey (206, college: William Penn) accounted for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winning side. Forward Maurice Taylor (198-94, college: Niagara) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) added 16 points and 22 rebounds respectively for Santa Ana in the defeat. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Santa Ana's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Cojute maintains seventh place with 5-10 record. Santa Ana lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. Cojute will meet higher ranked Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santa Ana will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: Z.Owens 28+8reb+6ast, C.Moten 22+2reb+1ast, D.Downey 14+17reb, R.Jose 8+2reb+1ast, N.Avalos 6+6reb+7ast, B.Reyes 5+5reb+3ast
Santa Ana: C.Benjamin 19+4reb+1ast, M.Taylor 18+18reb+5ast, M.Montavious 16+22reb, I.Sandoval 11+2reb+2ast, R.Erick 2+4reb+2ast, R.Luis 1+1ast

Fantasmas - Brujos 98-84

An interesting game for Fantasmas (11-6) which hosted in San Vicente 4th placed Brujos (9-5). Third ranked Fantasmas managed to get a 14-point victory 98-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Brujos. Fantasmas forced 21 Brujos turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists and 8 steals. His fellow American import guard Sameen Swint (193, college: GBC) contributed with 34 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Four Fantasmas players scored in double figures. Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (206-90, college: Millersville) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 20 rebounds and American forward Harrison Rieger (196-98) added 25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in the effort for Brujos. Fantasmas maintains third place with 11-6 record having just one point less than leader Aguila. Brujos at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. Fantasmas are looking forward to face El Rapido (#8) in La Union in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Brujos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: S.Swint 34+7reb+6ast, R.Bell 29+9reb+11ast, N.Moore 15+12reb+2ast, H.Carlos 10+8reb+4ast, C.Sorto 5+4reb+4ast, A.Victor 3
Brujos: A.Moe 32+20reb+2ast, R.Harrison 25+6reb+6ast, R.Santos 16+2reb+2ast, J.Angulo 7+4reb+5ast, G.Galdamez 4+6reb+3ast, O.Kevin 0



Tags : RANDY BELL, FANTASMAS DE SAN VICENTE, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL