Liga MB Round 14 (Regular Season): Metapan defeat 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 surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Cojute (11-2) in Cojutepeque on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Metapan (8-4) 83-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cojute. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) contributed with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds for Cojute. Metapan have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with San Salvador. Cojute at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Metapan is looking forward to face San Salvador (#4) on the road in the next round. Cojute will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Santa Tecla was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Fantasmas (8-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Santa Tecla (4-9). Fantasmas defeated Santa Tecla 87-75. American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) scored 34 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Caleb Bowser chipped in 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists. Santa Tecla's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Fantasmas have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 8-3 record having five points less than leader Cojute. Santa Tecla lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Fantasmas will play against league's leader Cojute in Cojutepeque in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Santa Tecla will play on the road against the league's second-placed Brujos (#2) in Izalco and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked San Salvador (8-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (3-10). San Salvador managed to secure a 9-point victory 90-81 on Saturday. Neysser Coutin notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 33 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds by Frankyn Batista did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador maintains fourth position with 8-4 record, which they share with Metapan. Loser Santa Ana keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. San Salvador will meet at home Metapan (#5) in the next round. Santa Ana will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 14 Santiagueno was beaten by Brujos on the road 79-73.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 39 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds by Alejandro De Los Santos of Brujos.



Santa Tecla - Fantasmas 75-87

The game in Santa Tecla was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Fantasmas (8-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Santa Tecla (4-9). Fantasmas defeated Santa Tecla 87-75. Fantasmas forced 21 Santa Tecla turnovers. American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) scored 34 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Caleb Bowser (193, college: Georgian Court) chipped in 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists and Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Santa Tecla's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Fantasmas have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 8-3 record having five points less than leader Cojute. Santa Tecla lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Fantasmas will play against league's leader Cojute in Cojutepeque in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Santa Tecla will play on the road against the league's second-placed Brujos (#2) in Izalco and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: A.Smith 34+9reb+8ast, C.Bowser 27+5reb+5ast, A.Smith 16+8reb+3ast, J.Flores 4+4reb, C.Sorto 3+1reb, K.Mejia 3+4reb
Santa Tecla: E.Torres 23+20reb+4ast, E.Jose 18+9reb, J.Barahona 10+5reb+11ast, H.Kristhian 9+1ast, E.Lahud 8+1ast, L.Portal 7+2reb

Santa Ana - San Salvador 81-90

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked San Salvador (8-4) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (3-10). San Salvador managed to secure a 9-point victory 90-81 on Saturday. San Salvador outrebounded Santa Ana 52-41 including 17 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort and power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) supported him with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 33 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds by Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) added 24 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador maintains fourth position with 8-4 record, which they share with Metapan. Loser Santa Ana keeps the eighth place with ten games lost. San Salvador will meet at home Metapan (#5) in the next round. Santa Ana will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Garcia 23+12reb+3ast, N.Coutin 22+14reb+2ast, P.Roque 14+3reb+6ast, G.Levi 12+4reb+2ast, L.Valle 9+9reb+7ast, E.Rodriguez 8+7reb+2ast
Santa Ana: F.Batista 33+19reb+2ast, S.Bradshaw 24+11reb+1ast, M.Melvin 11+1reb+2ast, L.Fernando 5+3reb+2ast, A.Luis 5+3reb+4ast, R.Benjamin 3+1reb+1ast

Cojute - Metapan 73-83

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Cojute (11-2) in Cojutepeque on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Metapan (8-4) 83-73. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cojute. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) contributed with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds and forward William Merino (187-2000) added 14 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Cojute. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Metapan have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with San Salvador. Cojute at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Metapan is looking forward to face San Salvador (#4) on the road in the next round. Cojute will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 27+12reb+2ast, X.Zambrana 26+15reb+5ast, L.Hernandez 13+3reb+6ast, L.Saravia 10+4reb+2ast, P.Kevin 4+1reb+1ast, A.Regalado 3+1reb
Cojute: A.Jeremy 15+3reb+5ast, M.William 14+8reb+2ast, N.Moore 12+14reb+1ast, P.Figueroa 10+3reb+1ast, K.Martinez 9+3reb+3ast, S.Kevin 9+3reb

Brujos - Santiagueno 79-73

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Brujos (9-3) beat 7th ranked Santiagueno (3-8) in Izalco 79-73 on Sunday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Brujos forced 22 Santiagueno turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 9 blocks. Dominican forward Alejandro De Los Santos (193-2002) notched 39 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) supported him with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks. Brujos' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 29 points and 5 assists by Lee Vasquez (176-1991) did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) added 28 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Brujos have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Santiagueno keeps the seventh position with eight games lost. Brujos will meet at home Santa Tecla (#6) in the next round. Santiagueno will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brujos: D.Los Santos Alejandro 39+7reb+3ast, L.Adonis 22+11reb+1ast, R.Garcia 6+6reb, A.Joe 4+3reb+1ast, J.Crespin 2+1reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 2+1reb
Santiagueno: V.Lee 29+4reb+5ast, V.Carattini 28+6reb+1ast, L.Ever 6+1reb+1ast, M.Aguilar 6+7reb+1ast, G.Martinez 4+15reb, L.Kevin 0