Liga MB Round 3: Santa Tecla hand first defeat to Fantasmas

Round 3 means everything may happen in Liga MB as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Fantasmas (1-1) on the court of Santa Tecla on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by Santa Tecla 114-83. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 42. They outrebounded Fantasmas 50-36 including 35 on the defensive glass. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Fantasmas' players. The best player for the winners was Dominican guard Jose Liriano (189-1998) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) chipped in 17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-1987) who recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. 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 Tecla is looking forward to face Brujos (#3) in Izalco in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fantasmas will play at home against Santa Ana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in was also worth to mention about. Aguila (1-2) played at the court of Santiagueno (1-2). Aguila defeated Santiagueno 73-60. It was a good game for Cuban Lisvan Valdez (196-1988) who led his team to a victory with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Oreste Torres contributed with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 22 rebounds and 4 assists for Santiagueno. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguila will play against Metapan at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santiagueno will play against Chalchuapa (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 3 winless Nejapa defeated Chalchuapa in a road game 102-84.

Santiagueno - Aguila 60-73

The game in was also worth to mention about. Aguila (1-2) played at the court of Santiagueno (1-2). Aguila defeated Santiagueno 73-60. It was a good game for Cuban Lisvan Valdez (196-1988) who led his team to a victory with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Cuban Oreste Torres (204-1987) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 22 rebounds and 4 assists and Cuban guard Pedro Roque (187-1995) added 27 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Santiagueno. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aguila will play against Metapan at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santiagueno will play against Chalchuapa (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: P.Roque 27+6reb+3ast, F.Asprilla 14+22reb+4ast, B.Castellon 6+3reb+4ast, R.Kymanie 4+2reb, S.Esperanza 4+2reb, S.Moises 3
Aguila: L.Valdez 23+5reb+4ast, O.Torres 14+12reb+2ast, G.Bryan 13+11reb, J.Araujo 12+4reb+5ast, D.Johns 8+7reb+2ast, O.Kevin 2+3reb+3ast

Chalchuapa - Nejapa 84-102

There was a minor upset when Chalchuapa (1-2) was defeated at home by Nejapa (0-3) 102-84. Nejapa dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 40. Nejapa forced 19 Chalchuapa turnovers and outrebounded them 52-29 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. It was a good game for American forward Telvin Gabriel (198-1994, college: Lander) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import Marcus Faison (196-1994, college: Salem St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Gabriel is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Nejapa players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-1987, college: App State) answered with 41 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and American forward Jose Ortiz (190-1990, college: DelVal) added 34 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds in the effort for Chalchuapa. Nejapa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play against Santiagueno (#10) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 41+5reb+3ast, J.Ortiz 34+11reb+1ast, M.Gonzalez 4+1reb+5ast, G.Luis 3+4reb, F.Carcamo 1+2reb+2ast, L.Fernando 1+1ast
Nejapa: T.Gabriel 38+14reb+5ast, E.Sample 23+3reb+7ast, J.Bonilla 12+3reb+4ast, M.Faison 12+17reb+6ast, J.Castillo 11+9reb+1ast, M.Justin 4+2reb

Santa Tecla - Fantasmas 114-83

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Fantasmas (1-1) on the court of Santa Tecla on Friday night. Visitors were rolled over by Santa Tecla 114-83. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 42. They outrebounded Fantasmas 50-36 including 35 on the defensive glass. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Fantasmas' players. The best player for the winners was Dominican guard Jose Liriano (189-1998) who scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Five Santa Tecla players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-1987) who recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and American JaCarre Crockett (192-1996, college: Philander Smith) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively. 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 Tecla is looking forward to face Brujos (#3) in Izalco in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fantasmas will play at home against Santa Ana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: O.Oliva 28+7reb+5ast, J.Crockett 18+5reb+2ast, C.Sorto 13+3reb+1ast, B.Douglas 9+3reb+6ast, S.Machado 8+14reb, C.Alas 4+2reb
Santa Tecla: J.Liriano 27+6reb+4ast, M.Jackson 17+10reb+7ast, R.Miller 17+11reb+2ast, A.Arias 15+3reb+4ast, M.Lahud 13+3reb+6ast, R.Gerardo 8+3reb+1ast



Tags : JOSE LIRIANO, ITD SANTA TECLA BC, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL