Liga MB Round 12 (Regular Season): Cojute keep a leadership position

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Liga MB. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Cojute as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cojute defeated 3rd ranked Metapan on the road 72-66. Strangely Metapan outrebounded Cojute 55-34 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) who scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Forward Pablo Figueroa (186-2000) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds. Cojute have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Metapan at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with A.Lobos. Metapan will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Cojute will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked San Salvador on the road.
Important game to mention about took place in . Sixth ranked Independiente (5-6) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Santa Ana (3-7) 67-65 on Saturday evening. It was a good game for American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks. Bryan Zaldana contributed with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for Santa Ana. Santa Ana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Independiente maintains sixth position with 5-6 record. Santa Ana at the other side dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. Independiente will play against league's second-placed A.Lobos in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santa Ana will play against Salvadorenos (#5) in San Salvador and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in San Salvador. Third ranked Metapan faced second-best San Salvador. Guests from Metapan (9-2) smashed host San Salvador (9-3) 93-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of Yoel Cubillas who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was Victor Carattini with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 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 keeps a position of league leader, which they share with A.Lobos. Loser San Salvador dropped to the third place with three games lost. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. San Salvador will play against Cojute and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 12 Santa Tecla was crushed by A.Lobos in a road game 104-65. Brujos beat Salvadorenos at home 78-74.



A.Lobos - Santa Tecla 104-65

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Santa Tecla (2-9) was crushed on the road by third ranked A.Lobos (9-2) 104-65 on Saturday. A.Lobos dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Tecla's 36. A.Lobos forced 26 Santa Tecla turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jerome Savoy (185, college: Pfeiffer) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and the other American import center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who added 11 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four A.Lobos players scored in double figures. A.Lobos' coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Luis Portal (188-1986) with 27 points and 4 assists and forward Edwin Cornejo (195-1999) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. A.Lobos used an opportunity after Metapan lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Santa Tecla lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with nine games lost. A.Lobos will meet at home Independiente (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Santa Tecla will play against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: L.Portal 27+3reb+4ast, F.Fuentes 13+2reb+2ast, E.Cornejo 10+10reb, G.Arias 8+7reb+3ast, F.Forbs 3+7reb+2ast, D.Vasquez 2+7reb+1ast
A.Lobos: J.Savoy 20+5reb+6ast, S.Scott 16+3reb+2ast, F.Lopez 13+3reb+1ast, M.Montavious 11+9reb+3ast, J.Galdamez 10+2reb, E.Rojas 9+1reb+1ast

Metapan - Cojute 66-72

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Cojute as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Cojute defeated 3rd ranked Metapan on the road 72-66. Strangely Metapan outrebounded Cojute 55-34 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) who scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Forward Pablo Figueroa (186-2000) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds and American point guard Marquise Mosley (175-1997, college: Biola, CA) added 22 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Cojute have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Metapan at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with A.Lobos. Metapan will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Cojute will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked San Salvador on the road.
Top scorers:
Metapan: X.Zambrana 22+16reb+2ast, M.Mosley 22+6reb+3ast, Y.Cubillas 8+9reb+1ast, L.Hernandez 5+6reb+4ast, L.Saravia 4+11reb+2ast, A.Regalado 2+3reb+1ast
Cojute: P.Figueroa 19+7reb+2ast, J.Agosto 15+7reb+8ast, T.Carter 12+8reb+1ast, K.Martinez 10+3reb+2ast, A.Avalos 9+2reb+1ast, J.Flores 5+4reb

Independiente - Santa Ana 67-65

Important game to mention about took place in . Sixth ranked Independiente (5-6) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Santa Ana (3-7) 67-65 on Saturday evening. Independiente outrebounded Santa Ana 49-33 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks. Bryan Zaldana (177-1995) contributed with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Four Independiente players scored in double figures. American Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists and his fellow American import forward Sam Dorissaint (198-1994, college: B&S Buffalo) added 26 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Santa Ana. Santa Ana's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Independiente maintains sixth position with 5-6 record. Santa Ana at the other side dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. Independiente will play against league's second-placed A.Lobos in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santa Ana will play against Salvadorenos (#5) in San Salvador and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: S.Dorissaint 26+12reb, T.Simmons 21+11reb+7ast, J.Araujo 12+2reb+5ast, I.Ramos 4+2reb, S.Gross 2+1reb+2ast, C.Arias 0
Independiente: N.Moore 20+19reb+3ast, A.Smith 18+8reb+1ast, B.Zaldana 15+5reb+7ast, C.Sorto 12+3reb+1ast, R.Melendez 2+13reb+3ast, C.Hernandez 0

Brujos - Salvadorenos 78-74

There was a small surprise in Izalco where eighth ranked Brujos (4-7) defeated 5th ranked Salvadorenos (6-5) 78-74 on Sunday. Brujos forced 21 Salvadorenos turnovers. Strangely Salvadorenos outrebounded Brujos 59-39 including a 41-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Brujos made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Marcus Millien (188-2000, college: Carlow) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds and guard Felipe Olmos (173-2001) who added 14 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Marcos Menjivar (190-2004) with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 12 rebounds and Colombian Michael Parra (201-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 24 rebounds. Brujos moved-up to seventh place. Loser Salvadorenos keep the fifth position with five games lost. Brujos will meet Santa Tecla (#9) on the road in the next round. Salvadorenos will play against Santa Ana (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: M.Menjivar 31+12reb+1ast, M.Parra 15+24reb+1ast, A.Ayala 13+6reb, I.Traore 8+10reb+2ast, E.Rodriguez 7+2reb+4ast, M.Quintanilla 0
Brujos: M.Millien 31+14reb+3ast, F.Olmos 14, G.Galdamez 7+5reb, R.Shente 5+2reb+2ast, L.Mendez 5+1reb+3ast, F.Angulo 4+2reb+1ast

San Salvador - Metapan 62-93

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in San Salvador. Third ranked Metapan faced second-best San Salvador. Guests from Metapan (9-2) smashed host San Salvador (9-3) 93-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by San Salvador'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 30 points and 15 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) who added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Four Metapan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and Puerto Rican power forward Owens Perez (206-1992) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 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 keeps a position of league leader, which they share with A.Lobos. Loser San Salvador dropped to the third place with three games lost. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. San Salvador will play against Cojute and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: V.Carattini 21+10reb+3ast, O.Perez 13+13reb+2ast, B.Garcia 12+6reb+2ast, L.Valle 9+2reb+2ast, G.Rivas 4+4reb+2ast, S.Colmenero 3+1reb+3ast
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 30+15reb+2ast, X.Zambrana 18+11reb+6ast, M.Mosley 17+2reb+6ast, L.Saravia 11+4reb+7ast, L.Hernandez 8+1reb+4ast, E.Contreras 5+2reb+3ast