Liga MB Round 7 (Regular Season): Chalchuapa still unable to win any game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 110-69 loss to fifth ranked Metapan (4-3) in Chalchuapa on Monday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 52. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 55-33 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) fired a double-double by scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) chipped in 23 points and 9 rebounds. Naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) produced 34 points (!!!) and 5 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Metapan moved-up to fourth place. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente in the next round. Chalchuapa will play on the road against Santiagueno (#8) in Usultan and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Santa Tecla was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Santa Ana (2-6) played at the court of seventh ranked Santa Tecla (3-5). Santa Tecla managed to secure a 5-point victory 88-83. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. Jose Barahona contributed with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists for Santa Ana. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Santa Ana at the other side dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play at home against the league's leader Cojute (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

In the last game of round 7 Santiagueno lost to undefeated San Salvador in a road game 60-75.
The best stats of 7th round was 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks by Brayan Garcia of San Salvador.



Chalchuapa - Metapan 69-110

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 110-69 loss to fifth ranked Metapan (4-3) in Chalchuapa on Monday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 52. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 55-33 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) fired a double-double by scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) chipped in 23 points and 9 rebounds. Naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) produced 34 points (!!!) and 5 assists and American forward Markos Samuels (196, college: Arkansas Bapt.) added 8 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Metapan moved-up to fourth place. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente in the next round. Chalchuapa will play on the road against Santiagueno (#8) in Usultan and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 29+18reb+1ast, X.Zambrana 23+9reb+3ast, P.Kevin 12+7reb+1ast, M.Tejada 8+2reb+1ast, L.Saravia 7+5ast, R.Miranda 6+2ast
Chalchuapa: M.Velez 34+4reb+5ast, R.Mercado 11+1reb+2ast, M.Samuels 8+13reb+6ast, H.Eleazar 6+6reb+1ast, Q.Daniel 4+3reb, A.Christopher 4+5reb

Santa Tecla - Santa Ana 88-83

The game in Santa Tecla was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Santa Ana (2-6) played at the court of seventh ranked Santa Tecla (3-5). Santa Tecla managed to secure a 5-point victory 88-83. Santa Tecla made 21-of-23 charity shots (91.3 percent) during the game. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds. Guatemalan Jose Barahona (189-1999) contributed with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists and American Eddie Tirado (-1989) added 22 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Santa Ana. Five Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Santa Ana at the other side dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play at home against the league's leader Cojute (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: E.Jose 29+11reb+2ast, J.Barahona 26+8reb+7ast, E.Torres 15+9reb+1ast, L.Portal 9+2reb+3ast, F.Fernando 4+4reb+3ast, H.Kristhian 3
Santa Ana: F.Batista 25+15reb+8ast, E.Tirado 22+8reb+1ast, T.Romero 15+8reb+3ast, L.Fernando 10+2reb+2ast, A.Luis 10+3reb+2ast, F.Carcamo 1+3reb+2ast

San Salvador - Santiagueno 75-60

There was no surprise when 8th ranked Santiagueno (1-5) was defeated on the road by leader San Salvador (6-0) 75-60. San Salvador had a 40-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a very good performance for power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Ernesto Rodriguez (170-2001) contributed with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican center Giovanny Martinez (206-1998, college: Jarvis Christian) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) added 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Santiagueno. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Cojute. Santiagueno lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with five games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play at home against Chalchuapa (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: E.Rodriguez 20+5reb+6ast, B.Garcia 16+14reb+2ast, N.Coutin 15+11reb+2ast, L.Valle 11+6reb+2ast, P.Roque 7+11reb+4ast, J.Avila 5+3reb
Santiagueno: G.Martinez 22+14reb+1ast, V.Carattini 17+9reb+7ast, L.Ever 6, S.Moises 4+4reb+2ast, G.Andres 3+4reb+1ast, M.Aguilar 3+9reb+2ast