Liga MB Round 20: #1 Aguila is defeated by Fantasmas

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Aguila (14-2) in San Miguel on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Fantasmas (12-6) 85-78. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Aguila. Worth to mention a great performance of American Nick Moore (198-91, college: Nyack) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-98) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 17 rebounds. Fantasmas maintains third position with 12-6 record having just one point less than leader San Salvador. Aguila at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. Fantasmas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aguila will play on the road against the league's leader San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
10th ranked Santiagueno (1-15) was defeated at home by eighth ranked El Rapido (4-12) with the biggest margin this round 97-89. The winners were led by Venezuelan forward Darwin Jaramillo (192-86) who scored that evening 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and Reggie Baker supported him with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Even 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. El Rapido maintains eighth position with 4-12 record. Santiagueno lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. El Rapido will play against higher ranked Cojute (#7) in Cojutepeque in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santiagueno will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 20 Cojute lost to Santa Tecla on the opponent's court 80-86.

Santa Tecla - Cojute 86-80

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Cojute (5-11) was defeated on the road by fifth ranked Santa Tecla (10-6) 86-80. Santa Tecla forced 25 Cojute turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The winners were led by Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Alejandro Arias (188-92) supported him with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Santa Tecla's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals (was perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line !!!) by American swingman Zekiah Owens (197-98, college: AIC) did not help to save the game for Cojute. American guard Chris Moten (190-89, college: LA Pierce JC) added 28 points and 4 assists for the guests. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. Cojute at the other side keeps the seventh position with 11 games lost. Santa Tecla will play against Brujos (#5) in Izalco in the next round. Cojute will play on the road against El Rapido in La Union and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cojute: C.Moten 28+3reb+4ast, Z.Owens 25+11reb+6ast, D.Downey 11+12reb, B.Reyes 6, N.Avalos 5, J.Gomez 3+2reb
Santa Tecla: A.Smart 27+14reb, R.Gerardo 23+7reb+7ast, A.Arias 22+7reb+9ast, A.Arias 6+1reb+1ast, K.Martinez 4+3ast, L.Portal 2+2reb+1ast

Santiagueno - El Rapido 89-97

10th ranked Santiagueno (1-15) was defeated at home by eighth ranked El Rapido (4-12) with the biggest margin this round 97-89. El Rapido players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. The winners were led by Venezuelan forward Darwin Jaramillo (192-86) who scored that evening 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and American Reggie Baker (193-93, college: BCU) supported him with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Four El Rapido players scored in double figures. Even 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. His fellow American import Xavier Eaglin (201-97, college: PVAMU) added 30 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the hosts. El Rapido maintains eighth position with 4-12 record. Santiagueno lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. El Rapido will play against higher ranked Cojute (#7) in Cojutepeque in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santiagueno will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: E.Blackwell 37+8reb+6ast, X.Eaglin 30+15reb+1ast, M.Lopez 9+1reb+2ast, S.Esperanza 5+3reb+2ast, B.Castellon 4+6reb+7ast, A.Alex 4+2reb
El Rapido: D.Jaramillo 38+6reb+3ast, R.Baker 19+6reb+10ast, G.Martinez 12+17reb+3ast, E.Contreras 11+5reb+4ast, C.Marquina 9+9reb+5ast, T.Baker 8+6reb

Aguila - Fantasmas 78-85

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Aguila (14-2) in San Miguel on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Fantasmas (12-6) 85-78. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Aguila. Worth to mention a great performance of American Nick Moore (198-91, college: Nyack) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Randy Bell (193-98, college: Dalton St.) who added 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-98) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 17 rebounds and Ecuadorian power forward Carlos Delgado (202-90) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. Fantasmas maintains third position with 12-6 record having just one point less than leader San Salvador. Aguila at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. Fantasmas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aguila will play on the road against the league's leader San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aguila: C.Delgado 19+6reb, V.Lee 16+1reb+4ast, M.Ramos 11+4reb+8ast, B.Garcia 10+17reb+3ast, O.Rivera 9+4reb, J.Barahona 6+2reb+1ast
Fantasmas: N.Moore 23+10reb+1ast, S.Swint 19+3reb+2ast, R.Bell 16+9reb+4ast, B.Douglas 8+4reb+1ast, J.Castillo 8+1reb, C.Sorto 5+5reb+1ast