Liga MB Round 16 (Regular Season): Santa Ana edge Santiagueno by one point

Round 16 means everything may happen in Liga MB as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga MB took place in Usultan. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 7th ranked Santiagueno (3-10) to eighth ranked Santa Ana (4-11) 73-72 in the game for the seventh place. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) chipped in 21 points and 14 rebounds. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. Santa Ana moved-up to seventh place. Santiagueno lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with ten games lost. Santa Ana are looking forward to face higher ranked Santa Tecla (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santiagueno will play against San Salvador and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 129-105 loss to fourth ranked Fantasmas (10-3) in Chalchuapa. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 83 points (!!!), 20 rebounds and 4 assists. Caleb Bowser contributed with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) replied with a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Chalchuapa. Fantasmas have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with 13 games lost. Fantasmas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play on the road against Metapan (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Second ranked Brujos (11-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (4-11). Brujos managed to secure a 4-point victory 87-83 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Adonis Lopez who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Frankyn Batista responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Brujos have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Cojute. Loser Santa Ana dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. Brujos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Santa Tecla (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 16 Santiagueno was crushed by Metapan in a road game 100-57.



Santa Ana - Brujos 83-87

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Second ranked Brujos (11-3) played at the court of 8th ranked Santa Ana (4-11). Brujos managed to secure a 4-point victory 87-83 on Friday. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 22. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists and center Carlos Arias (200-1989) who added 8 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Brujos have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Cojute. Loser Santa Ana dropped to the seventh place with 11 games lost. Brujos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Santa Tecla (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brujos: L.Adonis 30+17reb+4ast, D.Los Santos Alejandro 17+2reb, C.Arias 8+16reb+5ast, J.Crespin 8+1reb, A.Joe 7+8reb+3ast, M.Michael 6
Santa Ana: S.Bradshaw 23+12reb+5ast, F.Batista 21+16reb+5ast, A.Luis 13+2reb+4ast, M.Melvin 12+1reb+1ast, R.Benjamin 9+1reb+1ast, F.Carcamo 3

Metapan - Santiagueno 100-57

There was no surprise when 7th ranked Santiagueno (3-10) was crushed on the road by fourth ranked Metapan (10-4) 100-57 on Saturday. Metapan forced 26 Santiagueno turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Santiagueno's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds and Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) who added 18 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and Marco Aguilar (192-1994) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. 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 have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 10-4 record. Santiagueno lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with ten games lost. Metapan will meet at home bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Santiagueno will play against San Salvador and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 43+13reb+1ast, X.Zambrana 18+12reb+3ast, L.Saravia 12+1reb+1ast, P.Kevin 8+6reb+2ast, M.Tejada 7+3reb+1ast, R.Miranda 6+5reb+4ast
Santiagueno: V.Carattini 18+11reb+2ast, V.Lee 12+2reb+1ast, M.Aguilar 12+5reb+1ast, G.Martinez 6+10reb+1ast, L.Ever 4+5reb+1ast, C.Mario 3

Santiagueno - Santa Ana 72-73

The most exciting game of round 16 in the Liga MB took place in Usultan. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 7th ranked Santiagueno (3-10) to eighth ranked Santa Ana (4-11) 73-72 in the game for the seventh place. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Batista is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and Puerto Rican center Giovanny Martinez (206-1998, college: Jarvis Christian) added 14 points and 12 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Santiagueno players scored in double figures. Santa Ana moved-up to seventh place. Santiagueno lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with ten games lost. Santa Ana are looking forward to face higher ranked Santa Tecla (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santiagueno will play against San Salvador and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: F.Batista 27+17reb+2ast, S.Bradshaw 21+14reb+2ast, A.Luis 12+4reb+1ast, M.Melvin 6+7reb+1ast, R.Benjamin 5+2reb+3ast, A.Gross 2
Santiagueno: V.Carattini 20+11reb+2ast, G.Martinez 14+12reb, M.Aguilar 12+4reb+3ast, L.Ever 11+5reb+3ast, G.Andres 7+4reb+3ast, H.Saul 6+1ast

Chalchuapa - Fantasmas 105-129

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 129-105 loss to fourth ranked Fantasmas (10-3) in Chalchuapa. They dominated down low during the game scoring 96 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 58 and made 18-of-20 charity shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 55-34 including a 23-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. Fantasmas players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 83 points (!!!), 20 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import guard Caleb Bowser (193, college: Georgian Court) contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) replied with a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Mercado (182-1987, college: App State) added 36 points (!!!), 7 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Chalchuapa. Fantasmas have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with 13 games lost. Fantasmas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play on the road against Metapan (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: A.Smith 83+20reb+4ast, C.Bowser 24+10reb+9ast, A.Smith 13+6reb+7ast, M.Francisco 4, J.Flores 3+4reb+8ast, S.Ricardo 2+3reb
Chalchuapa: M.Velez 45+10reb+6ast, R.Mercado 36+4reb+7ast, M.Samuels 15+10reb+7ast, Q.Daniel 4, A.Christopher 2+3reb, A.Jonathan 2+1reb