Liga MB Round 11 (Regular Season): Brujos hand first loss to Cojute

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in Liga MB and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Cojute (9-1) in Izalco on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Brujos (6-3) 95-86. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Cojute. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Brujos looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 12 blocks. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Dominican forward Alejandro De Los Santos (193-2002) contributed with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) answered with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Cojute. Brujos moved-up to second place, which they share with San Salvador and Fantasmas. Cojute at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Brujos is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will play against Santa Tecla (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Santa Tecla. Seventh ranked Santiagueno (3-6) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Santa Tecla (4-6) 69-67 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Tecla. It was a great evening for Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds. Lee Vasquez helped adding 24 points, 6 assists and 5 steals. Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds. Santa Tecla's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Santiagueno maintains seventh place with 3-6 record. Defending champion Santa Tecla keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Santiagueno will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Tecla will play on the road against the league's leader Cojute (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked San Salvador (6-3) against fourth ranked Fantasmas (6-3) on Thursday night. Visiting San Salvador was defeated by Fantasmas in a tough game in San Vicente 71-78. It was an exceptional evening for Caleb Bowser who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. Neysser Coutin came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 16 rebounds for San Salvador in the defeat. Fantasmas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Brujos and San Salvador. San Salvador lost third consecutive game. Fantasmas will meet Santa Ana (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. San Salvador will play against Chalchuapa (#9) and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 11 Santa Ana was beaten by Metapan on the road 94-77.
The most impressive performance of 11th round was 31 points and 15 rebounds by Yoel Cubillas of Metapan.



Santa Tecla - Santiagueno 67-69

Important game to mention about took place in Santa Tecla. Seventh ranked Santiagueno (3-6) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Santa Tecla (4-6) 69-67 on Tuesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Tecla. Santiagueno made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Santa Tecla turnovers. Strangely Santa Tecla outrebounded Santiagueno 49-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds. Lee Vasquez (176-1991) helped adding 24 points, 6 assists and 5 steals. Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds and Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Santa Tecla's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Santiagueno maintains seventh place with 3-6 record. Defending champion Santa Tecla keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Santiagueno will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Tecla will play on the road against the league's leader Cojute (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: V.Lee 24+3reb+6ast, V.Carattini 23+8reb+2ast, G.Martinez 10+14reb, M.Duran 7+1reb+1ast, M.Aguilar 4+5reb+3ast, L.Ever 1+1reb+1ast
Santa Tecla: E.Jose 28+17reb+3ast, J.Barahona 18+3reb+3ast, E.Torres 11+14reb+4ast, L.Portal 7+1reb+1ast, W.Gonzalez 2+1reb+2ast, E.Lahud 1+5reb+2ast

Brujos - Cojute 95-86

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Cojute (9-1) in Izalco on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Brujos (6-3) 95-86. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Cojute. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Brujos looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 12 blocks. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Dominican forward Alejandro De Los Santos (193-2002) contributed with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) answered with 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) added 12 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks in the effort for Cojute. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Brujos moved-up to second place, which they share with San Salvador and Fantasmas. Cojute at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Brujos is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cojute will play against Santa Tecla (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Brujos: L.Adonis 32+11reb+3ast, A.Joe 20+2reb+5ast, D.Los Santos Alejandro 19+9reb+6ast, C.Arias 10+10reb+1ast, A.Arias 6+5reb+5ast, O.Felipe 3
Cojute: A.Jeremy 32+7reb+6ast, K.Martinez 21+4reb+1ast, P.Figueroa 13+3reb+4ast, N.Moore 12+12reb+4ast, M.William 8+6reb, V.Sergio 0

Fantasmas - San Salvador 78-71

Very important is a road loss of second ranked San Salvador (6-3) against fourth ranked Fantasmas (6-3) on Thursday night. Visiting San Salvador was defeated by Fantasmas in a tough game in San Vicente 71-78. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Caleb Bowser (193, college: Georgian Court) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. His fellow American import swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) accounted for 24 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 16 rebounds and Cuban guard Pedro Roque (187-1995) added 11 points and 13 rebounds respectively for San Salvador in the defeat. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. Fantasmas have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Brujos and San Salvador. San Salvador lost third consecutive game. Fantasmas will meet Santa Ana (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. San Salvador will play against Chalchuapa (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: A.Smith 24+8reb+2ast, C.Bowser 22+15reb, A.Smith 15+6reb, J.Flores 9+3reb+1ast, M.Francisco 4+1reb, D.Hernandez 2+6reb+2ast
San Salvador: E.Rodriguez 21+3reb+1ast, N.Coutin 14+16reb+1ast, S.Andres 12+7reb, L.Valle 11+2reb+1ast, P.Roque 11+13reb+1ast, J.Avila 2+1reb

Metapan - Santa Ana 94-77

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Metapan (6-4) beat at home 8th ranked Santa Ana (2-8) 94-77 on Thursday. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 24. Metapan forced 19 Santa Ana turnovers and had a 38-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Santa Ana's players. It was an exceptional evening for Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 15 rebounds. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) accounted for 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds and point guard Benjamin Rodriguez (182-2000) added 15 points respectively for Santa Ana in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Metapan maintains fifth place with 6-4 record. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with eight games lost. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Fantasmas (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 31+15reb+3ast, X.Zambrana 22+10reb+5ast, L.Saravia 19+2reb+5ast, R.Miranda 7+2reb, M.Gonzalez 5+4reb+2ast, M.Tejada 4+2reb
Santa Ana: F.Batista 27+15reb+2ast, R.Benjamin 15+3reb+3ast, A.Luis 13+3reb+1ast, L.Fernando 8, F.Carcamo 8+4reb+1ast, M.Melvin 2+6reb+1ast