Liga MB Round 18 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most shocking disappointment of round 18 was only two-point a home defeat of second-best Metapan (13-5) to third ranked San Salvador (14-4) 76-74 in the game for the second place. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Samuel Colmenero (185-1992, college: SF State) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds. San Salvador moved-up to second place. Metapan at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked San Salvador (14-4) against fourth ranked Cojute (12-6) on Thursday night. Host San Salvador was defeated by Cojute in San Salvador 67-57. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 25 rebounds to lead the effort and William Merino supported him with 16 points. Even a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds by American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) did not help to save the game for San Salvador. San Salvador's coach William Avalos rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cojute have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-6 record. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost.
Liga MB top team - Santa Ana (15-3) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Santa Tecla (8-10) 109-78. The best player for the winners was Abdulbasit Ajia who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Andravious Smith who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Santa Ana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Defending champion Santa Tecla keeps the sixth place with ten games lost.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Metapan won against A.Lobos on the opponent's court 57-52. Fantasmas unfortunately lost to Santa Ana in a home game 68-85. Brujos recorded a loss to Salvadorenos on the road 81-89. Brujos were defeated by Cojute on its own court 71-76. Salvadorenos smashed Santiagueno in San Salvador 113-66.



Santa Ana - Santa Tecla 109-78

Liga MB top team - Santa Ana (15-3) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Santa Tecla (8-10) 109-78. Santa Ana made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Santa Tecla turnovers and outrebounded them 49-31 including a 20-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Santa Ana looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was forward Abdulbasit Ajia (200-1999) who had a double-double by scoring 30 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-1991, college: Westfield St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Luis Portal (188-1986) added 16 points respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Santa Ana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Defending champion Santa Tecla keeps the sixth place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: A.Smith 30+11reb+5ast, L.Portal 16+1ast, I.Ariel 8, F.Fernando 6+1reb+2ast, S.Deikel 6+7reb+3ast, A.Gerardo 5+4reb+1ast
Santa Ana: A.Abdulbasit 30+15reb+5ast, L.Vazquez 26+10reb+8ast, T.Simmons 23+8reb+7ast, G.Salvador 14+3reb+1ast, M.Melvin 5+2reb, L.Fernando 5+3reb+2ast

A.Lobos - Metapan 52-57

Very expected game when 8th ranked A.Lobos (6-12) were defeated at home by second ranked Metapan (13-5) 57-52 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks. American JD Weatherspoon (198-1992, college: Toledo) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: UALR) who recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points, 18 rebounds and 5 blocks and American forward Sean Scott (190-1997, college: Pfeiffer) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Despite that victory Metapan went down to third position due to points difference. Loser A.Lobos dropped to the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Brujos.
Top scorers:
A.Lobos: S.Scott 15+9reb+1ast, M.Hinestroza 11+18reb, F.Carcamo 10+2reb+1ast, R.Story 8+6reb, I.Sandoval 8+1reb, M.Gonzalez 0+2reb+1ast
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 29+17reb, J.Weatherspoon 13+11reb+3ast, A.Joe 7+3reb+2ast, L.Hernandez 6+5reb+3ast, L.Saravia 2+1reb+1ast, G.Fernando 0

San Salvador - Cojute 57-67

Very important is a home loss of third ranked San Salvador (14-4) against fourth ranked Cojute (12-6) on Thursday night. Host San Salvador was defeated by Cojute in San Salvador 67-57. Cojute outrebounded San Salvador 52-39 including 18 on the offensive glass. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 25 rebounds to lead the effort and forward William Merino (187-2000) supported him with 16 points. Batista is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds by American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) did not help to save the game for San Salvador. Luis Valle (190-1997) added 14 points and 6 rebounds. San Salvador's coach William Avalos rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cojute have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-6 record. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the second place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: L.Valle 14+6reb+2ast, M.Montavious 11+20reb+2ast, S.Colmenero 10+3reb+1ast, A.Jeremy 9+2reb+1ast, J.Flores 5+3reb+2ast, M.Ramos 3+2reb
Cojute: F.Batista 24+25reb+3ast, M.William 16+3reb+3ast, T.Carter 15+3reb+2ast, K.Martinez 6+5reb+1ast, P.Figueroa 4+6reb+3ast, A.Aldahir 2+5reb+2ast

Fantasmas - Santa Ana 68-85

Very predictable result in San Vicente where first ranked Santa Ana (15-3) defeated 9th ranked Fantasmas (3-15) 85-68 on Friday. Santa Ana dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 40. The best player for the winners was American Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points, 19 rebounds and 8 assists. Forward Abdulbasit Ajia (200-1999) chipped in a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds. Santa Ana's coach Melvin Marroquin used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Carlos Sorto (185-1997) who recorded 26 points and 4 assists and guard Kevin Mejia (-1994) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Santa Ana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-3 record. Fantasmas lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: C.Sorto 26+4reb+4ast, D.Darius 15+5reb+1ast, K.Mejia 13+10reb+2ast, A.Gathings 8+11reb+2ast, M.Walter 6+7reb+2ast, S.Ricardo 0
Santa Ana: A.Abdulbasit 27+15reb+2ast, T.Simmons 23+19reb+8ast, L.Vazquez 17+5reb+6ast, M.Melvin 7+4reb+1ast, G.Salvador 3, L.Fernando 2+1reb

Salvadorenos - Brujos 89-81

Not a big story in a game in San Salvador where 7th ranked Brujos (6-12) were defeated by fifth ranked Salvadorenos (11-7) 89-81 on Friday. Salvadorenos forced 20 Brujos turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Emanuel Rodriguez who scored 43 points (!!!) and 5 assists. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican Eusebio Suero who recorded a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds and center Teodoro Romero (202-1985) added 10 points, 13 rebounds and 8 blocks respectively. Salvadorenos have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-7 record. Loser Brujos keep the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with A.Lobos.
Top scorers:
Brujos: S.Eusebio 42+13reb+3ast, U.Josue 10+7reb+1ast, T.Romero 10+13reb+3ast, J.Gerardo 5+1reb+2ast, T.Alfonso 4+3reb+1ast, O.Felipe 3+2ast
Salvadorenos: R.Emanuel 43+2reb+5ast, D.Murphy 18+6reb+4ast, B.Garcia 17+10reb+3ast, M.Marco 9+8reb+6ast, S.Andres 2+1reb+1ast, R.Anthony 0+2reb

Brujos - Cojute 71-76

Everything went according to plan in Izalco where fourth ranked Cojute (12-6) beat 7th ranked Brujos (6-12) 76-71 on Saturday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Cojute made 13 blocks. The best player for the winners was Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 25 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. American center Troidell Carter (206-1991, college: Slippery Rock) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Batista is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican Eusebio Suero who recorded a double-double by scoring 47 points (!!!), 20 rebounds and 4 blocks and center Teodoro Romero (202-1985) added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Cojute have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 12-6 record. Loser Brujos keep the seventh place with 12 games lost. They share the position with A.Lobos.
Top scorers:
Brujos: S.Eusebio 47+20reb+1ast, T.Romero 8+8reb+1ast, C.Walter 5+7reb+2ast, U.Josue 4+3reb+1ast, F.Angulo 3+3reb+3ast, T.Alfonso 2+9reb+1ast
Cojute: F.Batista 22+25reb+4ast, T.Carter 22+16reb+2ast, P.Figueroa 13+4reb+2ast, K.Martinez 8+5reb, M.William 7+4reb+2ast, A.Aldahir 2+5reb+2ast

Santiagueno - Salvadorenos 66-113

There was no surprise in Usultan where 10th ranked Santiagueno (2-16) was outplayed by fifth ranked Salvadorenos (11-7) 113-66 on Saturday. Salvadorenos outrebounded Santiagueno 70-30 including a 23-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Salvadorenos looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Santiagueno's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Salvadorenos made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) who had a triple-double by scoring 12 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists. Andres Serrano (-2006) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American Xavier Eaglin (201-1997, college: PVAMU) who recorded 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Melvin Amaya added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Five Salvadorenos and four Santiagueno players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Salvadorenos have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 11-7 record. Santiagueno lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: X.Eaglin 17+7reb+4ast, B.Diego 13+1reb+1ast, A.Melvin 11+6reb+2ast, A.Oquendo 11+2reb+1ast, A.Esperanza 9+3reb, G.Mauricio 2
Salvadorenos: R.Emanuel 18+4reb+1ast, M.Marco 18+2reb+2ast, D.Murphy 14+8reb+3ast, S.Andres 13+9reb+3ast, B.Garcia 12+17reb+13ast, L.Erick 11+3reb+1ast

Metapan - San Salvador 74-76

The most shocking disappointment of round 18 was only two-point a home defeat of second-best Metapan (13-5) to third ranked San Salvador (14-4) 76-74 in the game for the second place. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Samuel Colmenero (185-1992, college: SF State) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 14 rebounds and American JD Weatherspoon (198-1992, college: Toledo) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. San Salvador moved-up to second place. Metapan at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 28+14reb+2ast, J.Weatherspoon 22+15reb+3ast, L.Saravia 11+5reb+5ast, A.Regalado 5+2reb, L.Hernandez 5+2reb+3ast, A.Joe 2+3reb+4ast
San Salvador: M.Montavious 16+15reb+1ast, A.Jeremy 14+3reb+1ast, L.Valle 12+7reb+2ast, S.Colmenero 11+5reb+5ast, J.Avila 8+3reb+2ast, B.Alejandro 7+4reb+4ast