Liga MB Round 7 (Regular Season): Metapan hands first loss to A.Lobos

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of A.Lobos (6-1) at the home court on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Metapan (4-1) 91-76. It was a great shooting night for Metapan especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by A.Lobos' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metapan made 7 blocks. 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 28 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) contributed with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks for A.Lobos. Metapan have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory Metapan went down to fourth position due to points difference. A.Lobos at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. Metapan are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ahuachapan (#10) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. A.Lobos will have a break next round.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from San Salvador: San Salvador (#2) and Salvadorenos (#5). San Salvador (5-1) won against visiting Salvadorenos (3-4) 79-69. It was a great evening for Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Luis Valle helped adding 26 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side Spanish guard Lazaro Gonzalez (190-1993) responded with 27 points. Salvadorenos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Salvador maintains second place with 5-1 record behind leader A.Lobos. Salvadorenos at the other side dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. San Salvador will play against Independiente (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Salvadorenos will have a break next round.
Liga MB top team - A.Lobos (6-1) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat eighth ranked Santa Ana (1-4) 79-74. American players dominated the game. It was a quality performance for Marc Montavious who led the winners and scored 29 points and 6 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Timothy Simmons came up with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Santa Ana in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. A.Lobos maintains first place with 6-1 record. Loser Santa Ana keeps the eighth position with four games lost. A.Lobos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Brujos (#5) in Izalco and hope to win that game.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Santa Tecla was smashed by Cojute on the road 99-69. Brujos destroyed Ahuachapan on its own court 102-79. Cojute managed to outperform Salvadorenos in Cojutepeque 83-79.



San Salvador - Salvadorenos 79-69

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from San Salvador: San Salvador (#2) and Salvadorenos (#5). San Salvador (5-1) won against visiting Salvadorenos (3-4) 79-69. It was a great evening for Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Luis Valle (190-1997) helped adding 26 points and 8 rebounds. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. At the losing side Spanish guard Lazaro Gonzalez (190-1993) responded with 27 points and Colombian Michael Parra (201-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Salvadorenos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Salvador maintains second place with 5-1 record behind leader A.Lobos. Salvadorenos at the other side dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. San Salvador will play against Independiente (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Salvadorenos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: L.Gonzalez 27+3reb+3ast, M.Parra 17+13reb+3ast, I.Traore 9+8reb+1ast, A.Tobar 7+6reb+4ast, E.Rodriguez 4+3reb+1ast, A.Ayala 3+2reb+1ast
San Salvador: L.Valle 26+8reb+1ast, V.Carattini 19+10reb+7ast, J.Avila 15+3reb+2ast, B.Garcia 12+13reb+4ast, K.Saravia 5+1reb+1ast, E.Escalante 2+1reb+1ast

Cojute - Santa Tecla 99-69

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Cojute (5-2) crushed 9th ranked Santa Tecla (1-5) in Cojutepeque 99-69 on Tuesday. Cojute forced 21 Santa Tecla turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) who led the winners with a triple-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 steals. Guard Kevin Martinez (186-2000) accounted for 22 points for the winning side. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. Cojute's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Honduran Francisco Forbs (198-1999) came up with 20 points and 7 rebounds and forward Edwin Cornejo (195-1999) added 7 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Santa Tecla in the defeat. Cojute moved-up to third place. Loser Santa Tecla keeps the ninth position with five games lost. Cojute will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Tecla will play against Santa Ana (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: F.Forbs 20+7reb, A.Barahona 16+4reb+4ast, L.Portal 7+7reb+3ast, E.Cornejo 7+11reb+6ast, O.Benitez 6+3reb+1ast, A.Lopez 6+3reb+2ast
Cojute: J.Agosto 27+10reb+11ast, K.Martinez 22+4reb+3ast, A.Avalos 12+7reb+6ast, P.Figueroa 10+5reb+3ast, W.Merino 9+6reb+1ast, R.Melendez 8+1reb+1ast

Brujos - Ahuachapan 102-79

Very expected game when bottom-ranked Ahuachapan (0-6) was smashed by sixth ranked Brujos (3-3) in Izalco 102-79 on Wednesday. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Ahuachapan's 44. They outrebounded Ahuachapan 54-38 including a 40-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Brujos looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 12 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for Oliver Ferrerira who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. American guard Marcus Millien (188-2000, college: Carlow) accounted for 27 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 25 rebounds and 5 blocks and American point guard Darius Daniels (178-1997) added 25 points and 7 assists respectively for Ahuachapan in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brujos moved-up to fifth place. Loser Ahuachapan still closes the standings with six games lost. Brujos will meet at home Santa Ana (#8) in the next round. Ahuachapan will play against Metapan and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Ahuachapan: D.Daniels 25+4reb+7ast, E.Blackwell 24+5reb+5ast, F.Asprilla 16+25reb+1ast, C.Castro 7+1ast, F.Castaneda 5+2reb, E.Linares 2
Brujos: O.Ferrerira 33+10reb+5ast, M.Millien 27+10reb+8ast, I.Maldonado 10+4reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 6+8reb+1ast, A.Padilla 6+5reb+2ast, F.Olmos 5+1reb

Salvadorenos - Cojute 79-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Cojute's (5-2) road victory over 5th ranked Salvadorenos (3-4) in San Salvador 83-79 on Thursday. Cojute made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Salvadorenos turnovers. Cojute looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) who led the winners and scored 40 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import center Troidell Carter (206-1991, college: Slippery Rock) accounted for 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side. Colombian Michael Parra (201-1995) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds and Spanish guard Lazaro Gonzalez (190-1993) added 23 points respectively for Salvadorenos in the defeat. Four Salvadorenos players scored in double figures. Salvadorenos' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Cojute moved-up to third place. Loser Salvadorenos dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: L.Gonzalez 23+3reb+3ast, M.Parra 17+19reb+2ast, M.Menjivar 14+4reb+4ast, A.Ayala 11+6reb, I.Traore 7+13reb+3ast, E.Rodriguez 3+1reb
Cojute: J.Agosto 40+7reb+6ast, T.Carter 16+13reb+2ast, K.Martinez 15+2reb+1ast, A.Avalos 6+4reb+7ast, P.Figueroa 4+6reb+2ast, W.Merino 2+11reb+3ast

Santa Ana - A.Lobos 74-79

Liga MB top team - A.Lobos (6-1) added another victory to their record on Thursday. This time they beat eighth ranked Santa Ana (1-4) 79-74. A.Lobos dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 34. American players dominated the game. It was a quality performance for center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who led the winners and scored 29 points and 6 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Forward Sean Scott (190-1997, college: Pfeiffer) accounted for 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four A.Lobos players scored in double figures. Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) came up with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Sam Dorissaint (198-1994, college: B&S Buffalo) added 27 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Santa Ana in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. A.Lobos maintains first place with 6-1 record. Loser Santa Ana keeps the eighth position with four games lost. A.Lobos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against Brujos (#5) in Izalco and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: T.Simmons 28+8reb+4ast, S.Dorissaint 27+7reb+3ast, J.Araujo 10+7reb, F.Ramos 3+1ast, M.Marroquin 2+2reb+4ast, I.Ramos 2+1reb+4ast
A.Lobos: M.Montavious 29+6reb+1ast, S.Scott 15+5reb+5ast, F.Carcamo 15+5reb+5ast, J.Savoy 14+8reb+1ast, M.Melendez 4, E.Rojas 2+3reb

A.Lobos - Metapan 76-91

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of A.Lobos (6-1) at the home court on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Metapan (4-1) 91-76. It was a great shooting night for Metapan especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by A.Lobos' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Metapan made 7 blocks. 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 28 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) contributed with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import forward Sean Scott (190-1997, college: Pfeiffer) added 24 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for A.Lobos. Four Metapan and five A.Lobos players scored in double figures. Metapan have a solid series of four victories in a row. Despite that victory Metapan went down to fourth position due to points difference. A.Lobos at the other side still keep top place with one game lost. Metapan are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Ahuachapan (#10) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. A.Lobos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
A.Lobos: S.Scott 24+7reb+2ast, M.Montavious 16+16reb+1ast, J.Savoy 13+6reb+2ast, E.Rojas 10+4reb+5ast, M.Melendez 10+2ast, F.Carcamo 3+1reb+1ast
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 28+12reb+3ast, X.Zambrana 22+9reb+5ast, M.Mosley 22+2reb+2ast, L.Saravia 12+5reb+7ast, K.Pineda 7+3reb+1ast, L.Martinez 0