Liga MB Round 18 (Regular Season): Leader San Salvador gets another victory

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Liga MB. The round 18 was rather boring as all games ended with very predictable results. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Undefeated leader San Salvador delivered the seventeenth consecutive win on Monday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Santa Tecla (9-10) 89-66. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when San Salvador made 12 blocks. The best player for the winners was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who had a double-double by scoring 50 points (!!!), 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Demaris McNeil (201, college: Johnson, FL) who recorded 8 points and 11 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. Undefeated San Salvador (17-0) have an impressive 17-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 17 victories in a row. Santa Tecla at the other side keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Cojute and Santiagueno. San Salvador are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Brujos (#11) in Izalco in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santa Tecla will play against the league's second-placed A.Lobos (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Metapan. Local Metapan (13-5) outscored 8th ranked Santiagueno (9-10) 131-67. It was a good game for American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Edgar Contreras contributed with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Metapan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nicaraguan guard Deikel Sanchez (-1996) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for Santiagueno. Metapan have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-5 record having three points less than leader San Salvador. Santiagueno at the other side dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Cojute and Santa Tecla. Metapan will play against Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round. Santiagueno will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 18 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Ahuachapan was crushed by Santiagueno in Usultan 102-80. Santa Ana smashed Cojute at home 97-66. Metapan destroyed Independiente on the opponent's court 112-72.



Metapan - Santiagueno 131-67

The game with biggest result difference took place in Metapan. Local Metapan (13-5) outscored 8th ranked Santiagueno (9-10) 131-67. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 98 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 46. They outrebounded Santiagueno 57-29 including a 42-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Metapan players were unselfish on offense dishing 42 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Santiagueno's players. It was a good game for American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Edgar Contreras (179-2001) contributed with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Five Metapan players scored in double figures. Metapan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nicaraguan guard Deikel Sanchez (-1996) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and Colombian point guard William Cabeza (175-1993) added 8 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in the effort for Santiagueno. Metapan have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-5 record having three points less than leader San Salvador. Santiagueno at the other side dropped to the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Cojute and Santa Tecla. Metapan will play against Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round. Santiagueno will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: D.Sanchez 18+12reb+1ast, S.Esperanza 17+3reb, M.Guzman 12+5reb+2ast, W.Cabeza 8+7reb+9ast, A.Cerna 6+1reb+2ast, R.Quintanilla 6+1reb+2ast
Metapan: A.Smith 23+12reb+6ast, E.Contreras 18+7reb+5ast, C.Lard 17+7reb+5ast, L.Saravia 14+1reb+11ast, M.Mosley 12+3reb+3ast, M.Tejada 12+5reb+1ast

Santiagueno - Ahuachapan 102-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Ahuachapan's (5-13) road loss to eighth ranked Santiagueno (9-10) 80-102. Santiagueno dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Ahuachapan's 46. Santiagueno had a 44-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 33 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Ahuachapan's players. Santiagueno brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a good game for Nicaraguan guard Deikel Sanchez (-1996) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. Ismael Lara contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Santiagueno players scored in double figures. American guard Jerome Savoy (185, college: Pfeiffer) replied with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 5 assists and center Teodoro Romero (202-1985) added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Ahuachapan. Santiagueno moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Cojute and Santa Tecla. Ahuachapan at the other side keeps the ninth position with 13 games lost. Santiagueno will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ahuachapan will play at home against Metapan (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Ahuachapan: J.Savoy 43+10reb+5ast, T.Romero 14+11reb+1ast, E.Linares 11+9reb+1ast, J.Lima 5+7reb+2ast, R.Aguilar 5+1reb+1ast, D.Valdivieso 2+2reb
Santiagueno: D.Sanchez 26+16reb+7ast, I.Lara 24+12reb+2ast, M.Guzman 17+4reb+4ast, W.Cabeza 13+5reb+14ast, S.Esperanza 9+6reb, B.Castellon 7+3reb+5ast

Santa Ana - Cojute 97-66

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Santa Ana (11-7) smashed at home 6th ranked Cojute (9-10) 97-66. Santa Ana made 21-of-26 charity shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Cojute turnovers. Santa Ana players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. It was a good game for Guatemalan point guard Lee Vasquez (173) who led his team to a victory with 31 points and 7 assists. American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 19 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) replied with 19 points and 4 assists and guard Juan Flores (178-1995) added 14 points, 6 assists and 6 steals in the effort for Cojute. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Santa Ana maintains fourth position with 11-7 record. Cojute at the other side keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Santa Tecla and Santiagueno. Santa Ana will play against higher ranked Metapan (#3) at home in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Cojute will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: S.Bradshaw 19+2reb+4ast, A.Guzman 14+5reb+1ast, J.Flores 14+4reb+6ast, W.Merino 9+6reb+2ast, F.Alvarez 8+11reb+3ast, A.Avalos 2+2reb+2ast
Santa Ana: L.Vasquez 31+4reb+7ast, M.Montavious 21+19reb+1ast, J.Araujo 17+2reb+3ast, I.Ramos 13+2ast, J.Roblejo 9+9reb+6ast, D.Mendoza 2+2reb+1ast

Independiente - Metapan 72-112

Very expected game when 10th ranked Independiente (2-16) was rolled over at home by third ranked Metapan (13-5) 112-72. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Independiente's 44. Metapan forced 19 Independiente turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 32 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Independiente's players. It was a good game for American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who led his team to a victory with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) contributed with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. Five Metapan players scored in double figures. American guard Darnell Johnson (201, college: CSUSB) replied with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!) and 22 rebounds and guard Cesar Gonzalez (-1994) added 5 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Independiente. Metapan have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-5 record having three points less than leader San Salvador. Independiente lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 16 games lost. Metapan will play against Santa Ana (#4) on the road in the next round. Independiente will play against Salvadorenos (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Independiente: D.Johnson 43+22reb+2ast, V.Mercado 11+5reb, R.Melendez 7+2reb+2ast, M.Rodriguez 6+3reb, C.Gonzalez 5+5reb+7ast, B.Reyes 0
Metapan: A.Smith 17+5reb+7ast, M.Cairo 16+6reb+4ast, J.Avila 16+4reb+6ast, M.Mosley 14+1reb+3ast, L.Saravia 13+1reb+2ast, C.Lard 10+10reb+4ast

San Salvador - Santa Tecla 89-66

Undefeated leader San Salvador delivered the seventeenth consecutive win on Monday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Santa Tecla (9-10) 89-66. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when San Salvador made 12 blocks. The best player for the winners was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who had a double-double by scoring 50 points (!!!), 18 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Demaris McNeil (201, college: Johnson, FL) who recorded 8 points and 11 rebounds and forward Alejandro Barahona (189-1999) added 13 points and 4 steals 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. San Salvador (17-0) have an impressive 17-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 17 victories in a row. Santa Tecla at the other side keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Cojute and Santiagueno. San Salvador are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Brujos (#11) in Izalco in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santa Tecla will play against the league's second-placed A.Lobos (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: A.Barahona 13+4reb+2ast, D.Aguilar 10+3reb+2ast, G.Rivas 10+2reb+2ast, E.Cornejo 9+6reb+2ast, D.McNeil 8+11reb+2ast, S.Colmenero 7+6reb+5ast
San Salvador: Y.Cubillas 50+18reb+4ast, B.Garcia 15+9reb+6ast, N.Ulloa 8+4reb+4ast, K.Martinez 5, P.Figueroa 4+2reb+3ast, M.Menjivar 3+3reb+2ast