Liga MB Round 24: Santa Tecla beat Santiagueno

Carlos Arias

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Santa Tecla as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Santa Tecla smashed 8th ranked Santiagueno at home 112-66. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 34. They outrebounded Santiagueno 44-22 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Santiagueno's players. It was a good game for center Carlos Arias (200-1989) who led his team to a victory with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) contributed with 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Santa Tecla's coach Ernesto Rodriguez felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard EJ Blackwell (193, college: Lourdes) replied with 22 points and 5 assists for Santiagueno. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with San Salvador. Santiagueno at the other side keeps the eighth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Santa Ana.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked San Salvador (16-2) against fifth ranked Brujos (9-9) on Sunday night. Visiting San Salvador was defeated by Brujos in Izalco 92-74. Worth to mention a great performance of Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (207-1990, college: Millersville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 blocks and Juan De Los Santos who added 26 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brujos maintains fifth position with 9-9 record, which they share with Metapan. San Salvador at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with Santa Tecla.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Cojute (12-7) against sixth ranked Metapan (9-9) on Thursday night. Host Cojute was defeated by Metapan in a tough game in Cojutepeque 81-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cojute. The winners were led by Marcus Faison who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 23 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 25 points by Jeremy Agosto did not help to save the game for Cojute. Metapan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Brujos. Loser Cojute keeps the third position with seven games lost.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 24: Fantasmas smashed Santa Ana on the road 101-51. Metapan destroyed Santiagueno on its own court 116-84. Brujos unfortunately lost to Quezaltepeque in a road game 73-81. San Salvador managed to beat Fantasmas at home 78-62.