Liga MB Round 2: Cojute defeat Santiagueno

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in Liga MB. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Santiagueno in Cojutepeque on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Cojute 100-86. Cojute looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Santiagueno's players. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. The other American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) contributed with 10 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) replied with a double-double by scoring 44 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds for Santiagueno. Santiagueno's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cojute are looking forward to face Metapan on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santiagueno will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Cojutepeque. Cojute saved a 3-point victory at home edging Brujos 81-78 on Saturday evening. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) scored 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nick Moore chipped in 12 points and 16 rebounds during the contest. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 23 rebounds. Brujos' coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cojute will play against Metapan on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brujos will play against San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of Metapan against Santa Tecla on Monday night. Visiting Metapan was defeated by Santa Tecla in a tough game in Santa Tecla 66-70. Rodolfo Espinal notched a double-double by scoring 14 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds by Xavier Zambrana did not help to save the game for Metapan. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Santa Tecla will meet Fantasmas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Metapan will play against Cojute and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: winless Santa Ana lost to undefeated San Salvador on the road 64-86. Winless Chalchuapa lost to undefeated San Salvador on its own court 62-96. Winless Santa Ana unfortunately lost to Fantasmas in San Vicente 81-95. Santiagueno managed to beat Santa Tecla at home 73-66. Fantasmas lost to undefeated San Salvador on the opponent's court 68-83.
The most impressive performance of 2nd round was 38 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds by Neysser Coutin of San Salvador.

San Salvador - Santa Ana 86-64

No shocking result in a game when San Salvador crushed at home Santa Ana 86-64 on Tuesday. They outrebounded Santa Ana 52-38 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Ernesto Rodriguez (170-2001) notched 29 points and 9 assists to lead the effort and Cuban guard Pedro Roque (187-1995) supported him with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 21 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists by Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. American Eddie Tirado (-1989) added 17 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San Salvador will meet Brujos in the next round. Santa Ana will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: E.Rodriguez 29+3reb+9ast, L.Valle 14+2reb+2ast, N.Coutin 13+8reb+3ast, P.Roque 13+9reb+3ast, J.Avila 6+6reb+3ast, B.Garcia 4+7reb
Santa Ana: F.Batista 21+16reb+6ast, E.Tirado 17+6reb+2ast, T.Romero 10+9reb+1ast, A.Luis 6+3reb, L.Fernando 5, V.Sandoval 3+1reb+1ast

Cojute - Santiagueno 100-86

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Santiagueno in Cojutepeque on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Cojute 100-86. Cojute looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Santiagueno's players. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. The other American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) replied with a double-double by scoring 44 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds and point guard Andres Gomez (175-2002) added 15 points in the effort for Santiagueno. Santiagueno's coach rotated ten players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cojute are looking forward to face Metapan on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Santiagueno will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Jeremy 38+6reb+9ast, P.Figueroa 18+3reb+1ast, M.William 15+7reb+2ast, N.Moore 10+15reb+5ast, R.David 7+2ast, K.Martinez 6+4reb+4ast
Santiagueno: V.Carattini 44+14reb+1ast, G.Andres 15+4reb+3ast, G.Martinez 10+11reb+1ast, M.Duran 6+10reb+3ast, H.Saul 5+1reb+1ast, B.Diego 4

Santa Tecla - Metapan 70-66

Very important is a road loss of Metapan against Santa Tecla on Monday night. Visiting Metapan was defeated by Santa Tecla in a tough game in Santa Tecla 66-70. Santa Tecla forced 21 Metapan turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Tecla made 7 blocks. Dominican Rodolfo Espinal notched a double-double by scoring 14 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort and Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) supported him with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Even a double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds by Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) did not help to save the game for Metapan. Leonardo Hernandez (174-1994) added 21 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Santa Tecla will meet Fantasmas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Metapan will play against Cojute and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: E.Torres 21+11reb+1ast, E.Rodolfo 14+17reb+3ast, J.Barahona 11+2reb+7ast, F.Fernando 8+1reb+2ast, G.Rodrigo 6+1reb, H.Kristhian 5+6reb+4ast
Metapan: L.Hernandez 21+7reb+3ast, X.Zambrana 20+17reb+3ast, L.Saravia 11+7reb, M.Tejada 9+2reb+1ast, P.Kevin 3+2reb+1ast, H.Noe 2+4reb+1ast

Chalchuapa - San Salvador 62-96

Rather expected game when Chalchuapa was smashed at home by San Salvador 96-62 on Sunday. San Salvador outrebounded Chalchuapa 66-37 including a 24-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead the effort and Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) supported him with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. San Salvador's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 15 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward Markos Samuels (196, college: Arkansas Bapt.) did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. Naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) added 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the hosts. San Salvador will meet Brujos in the next round. Chalchuapa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Garcia 22+15reb, N.Coutin 14+14reb+1ast, P.Roque 14+5reb+5ast, C.Edwin 10+8reb+1ast, E.Rodriguez 10+4reb+7ast, L.Valle 6+2reb+1ast
Chalchuapa: M.Velez 22+6reb+4ast, M.Samuels 15+18reb+4ast, R.Mercado 9+6reb+2ast, Q.Daniel 6+3reb, D.Valle Fernando 4+2ast, A.Jonathan 3+1reb

Fantasmas - Santa Ana 95-81

Rather predictable result when Fantasmas won against Santa Ana in San Vicente 95-81 on Sunday. Fantasmas dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 44. Fantasmas forced 21 Santa Ana turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) notched 46 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and the other American import point guard Darius Daniels (178, college: TxWes) supported him with 30 points and 5 assists. Even a triple-double of 27 points, 23 rebounds and 12 assists by Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. American Eddie Tirado (-1989) added 32 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Fantasmas will meet at home Santa Tecla in the next round. Santa Ana will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: A.Smith 46+9reb+5ast, D.Daniels 30+2reb+5ast, A.Smith 13+10reb+4ast, J.Flores 4+2reb+1ast, H.Carlos 2+3reb+1ast, S.Ricardo 0
Santa Ana: E.Tirado 32+7reb+2ast, F.Batista 27+23reb+12ast, T.Romero 12+13reb+1ast, M.Melvin 7+3reb+1ast, A.Luis 3+2reb+2ast, C.Josue 0

Cojute - Brujos 81-78

Important game to mention about took place in Cojutepeque. Cojute saved a 3-point victory at home edging Brujos 81-78 on Saturday evening. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) scored 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) chipped in 12 points and 16 rebounds during the contest. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 23 rebounds and center Carlos Arias (200-1989) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 18 rebounds. Brujos' coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cojute will play against Metapan on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Brujos will play against San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Jeremy 35+8reb+8ast, M.William 15+7reb+2ast, N.Moore 12+16reb+2ast, P.Figueroa 8+5reb, G.Jefferson 6+1reb, K.Martinez 3+1reb+1ast
Brujos: L.Adonis 27+23reb+3ast, D.Los Santos Alejandro 21+5reb+1ast, C.Arias 12+18reb, A.Joe 6+2ast, F.Angulo 6+1ast, J.Crespin 5+1reb

Santiagueno - Santa Tecla 73-66

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Santa Tecla's road loss to Santiagueno in Usultan 66-73 on Friday. Santiagueno forced 26 Santa Tecla turnovers. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded Santiagueno 54-39 including 19 on the offensive glass. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals to lead the effort and Saul Henriquez supported him with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Even a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds by Dominican Rodolfo Espinal did not help to save the game for Santa Tecla. Guatemalan Jose Barahona (189-1999) added 16 points and 4 steals for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Santiagueno will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Tecla will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: V.Carattini 19+10reb+4ast, M.Duran 13+2reb+2ast, S.Moises 10+1reb, H.Saul 9+7reb+3ast, G.Andres 7+1reb+3ast, M.Aguilar 6+8reb+2ast
Santa Tecla: J.Barahona 16+3reb+3ast, L.Portal 14+3reb+1ast, E.Rodolfo 10+16reb+1ast, F.Fernando 9+3reb+6ast, G.Rodrigo 6+4reb+1ast, M.Aristides 4+1reb

San Salvador - Fantasmas 83-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with San Salvador's home victory over Fantasmas 83-68 on Friday. They outrebounded Fantasmas 59-33 including a 41-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Fantasmas' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when San Salvador made 8 blocks. Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Cuban guard Pedro Roque (187-1995) supported him with 8 points, 9 rebounds and 15 assists. Even a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds by American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) did not help to save the game for Fantasmas. His fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (178, college: TxWes) added 26 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Fantasmas' coach let to play ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. San Salvador will meet Brujos in the next round. Fantasmas will play against Santa Tecla and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: N.Coutin 38+16reb+2ast, B.Garcia 17+15reb, C.Edwin 9+9reb+1ast, P.Roque 8+9reb+15ast, L.Valle 5+4reb+3ast, J.Avila 3+3reb
Fantasmas: D.Daniels 26+5reb, A.Smith 19+12reb+3ast, C.Sorto 10+4reb, A.Smith 9+3reb+1ast, E.Adan 2+1reb, D.Hernandez 2+2reb



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