Liga MB Round 8 (Regular Season): Metapan hand first loss to San Salvador

What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated San Salvador (7-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Metapan (5-2) 83-59. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of San Salvador. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to San Salvador's 28. Metapan had a 34-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metapan made 8 blocks. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-1986, college: Miles) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) contributed with 17 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks for the winners. point guard Martin Ramos (171-1992) replied with 21 points and 4 assists for San Salvador. 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 second place, which they share with Santa Ana and Salvadorenos. San Salvador at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Metapan is looking forward to face A.Lobos (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. San Salvador will play against Brujos (#9) in Izalco and is hoping to win this game.
The game in San Vicente was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked Santa Tecla (5-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-5). Santa Tecla defeated Fantasmas 70-57. 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 38 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Luis Portal who added 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 25 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Tecla have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 5-3 record. Fantasmas at the other side keep the seventh place with five games lost. Santa Tecla will play against league's second-placed Santa Ana at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Fantasmas will play against Salvadorenos (#4) and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Izalco was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Salvadorenos (5-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Brujos (2-6). Salvadorenos managed to secure a 7-point victory 68-61 on Saturday. The winners were led by Emanuel Rodriguez who scored that evening 23 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds by Teodoro Romero did not help to save the game for Brujos. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Salvadorenos moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana and Metapan. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with A.Lobos. Salvadorenos will meet Fantasmas (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Brujos will play against the league's leader San Salvador and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 8 Santa Ana beat Santiagueno on the road 99-85.



San Salvador - Metapan 59-83

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated San Salvador (7-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by third ranked Metapan (5-2) 83-59. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of San Salvador. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to San Salvador's 28. Metapan had a 34-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metapan made 8 blocks. American swingman Eddie Ishman (197-1986, college: Miles) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks for the winners. Point guard Martin Ramos (171-1992) replied with 21 points and 4 assists and American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) added 13 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for San Salvador. 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 second place, which they share with Santa Ana and Salvadorenos. San Salvador at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Metapan is looking forward to face A.Lobos (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. San Salvador will play against Brujos (#9) in Izalco and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: M.Ramos 21+1reb+4ast, M.Montavious 13+8reb+2ast, B.Alejandro 10+3reb+1ast, L.Valle 8+4reb+2ast, J.Flores 4+2reb, A.Jeremy 3+11reb+6ast
Metapan: E.Ishman 26+15reb+2ast, Y.Cubillas 17+14reb+4ast, L.Saravia 14+4reb+7ast, L.Hernandez 9+4reb+3ast, P.Kevin 7+2reb, A.Joe 6+2reb+3ast

Santiagueno - Santa Ana 85-99

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Santa Ana (5-2) beat bottom-ranked Santiagueno (1-6) in Usultan 99-85 on Friday. Santa Ana dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 42. Santa Ana looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Lee Vasquez (176-1991) who scored that evening 39 points (!!!) and 7 assists and forward Abdulbasit Ajia (200-1999) supported him with 22 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 34 points (!!!) by Santiago Esperanza (185-1993) did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) added 6 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Four Santiagueno players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Santa Ana have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Metapan and Salvadorenos. Loser Santiagueno stay at the bottom position with six games lost. Santa Ana will meet Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round. Santiagueno will play against Cojute (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: S.Esperanza 34+3reb+2ast, A.Oquendo 16+1reb, B.Castellon 14+7reb+2ast, X.Eaglin 11+5reb+3ast, F.Asprilla 6+13reb+5ast, G.Andres 2+8reb+3ast
Santa Ana: V.Lee 39+4reb+7ast, T.Simmons 27+9reb+8ast, A.Abdulbasit 22+19reb+4ast, G.Salvador 5+2reb, M.Melvin 4+1reb, H.Romario 2+1reb

Fantasmas - Santa Tecla 57-70

The game in San Vicente was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked Santa Tecla (5-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-5). Santa Tecla defeated Fantasmas 70-57. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 32. Santa Tecla brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. 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 38 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Luis Portal (188-1986) who added 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 25 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (178-1997) scored 10 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Santa Tecla have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 5-3 record. Fantasmas at the other side keep the seventh place with five games lost. Santa Tecla will play against league's second-placed Santa Ana at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Fantasmas will play against Salvadorenos (#4) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: N.Moore 26+25reb+6ast, D.Darius 10+7reb+3ast, C.Sorto 9+4reb, M.Francisco 4, A.Emilio 3, E.Abullarade 3+3reb+1ast
Santa Tecla: A.Smith 38+11reb+5ast, L.Portal 17+5reb+2ast, E.Contreras 5+3reb+8ast, C.Lora-Oliver 4+17reb+1ast, A.Gerardo 4+1reb, V.Diego 2+6reb

Brujos - Salvadorenos 61-68

The game in Izalco was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Salvadorenos (5-2) played at the court of 8th ranked Brujos (2-6). Salvadorenos managed to secure a 7-point victory 68-61 on Saturday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Salvadorenos made 12 blocks. The winners were led by Emanuel Rodriguez who scored that evening 23 points and 8 rebounds and Dominican center Rodolfo Espinal (208-1998) supported him with 7 points and 14 rebounds. Even a double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds by center Teodoro Romero (202-1985) did not help to save the game for Brujos. Alfonso Tobar (-2007) added 6 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Salvadorenos moved-up to second place, which they share with Santa Ana and Metapan. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with A.Lobos. Salvadorenos will meet Fantasmas (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Brujos will play against the league's leader San Salvador and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brujos: T.Romero 19+17reb, J.Crespin 14+1reb+1ast, A.Winston 8+6ast, T.Alfonso 6+13reb, G.Galdamez 6+4reb+1ast, O.Angelo 4+1reb+3ast
Salvadorenos: R.Emanuel 23+8reb+3ast, B.Garcia 11+7reb+2ast, R.Erick 8+5reb+3ast, E.Rodolfo 7+14reb+1ast, E.Paiz 6+6reb+3ast, M.Diego 5+1reb+1ast