Liga MB Round 6 (Regular Season): Santa Tecla lose to San Salvador

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in San Salvador between third ranked Santa Tecla (3-2) and sixth ranked San Salvador (3-1) on Friday night. Santa Tecla was crushed by San Salvador on the road 60-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Santa Tecla. It was a key game for the second position in the league. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Tecla's 24. San Salvador had a 41-26 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a good game for Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. American-Costa Rican guard Avery Martinez (198-1999, college: Pikeville) contributed with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) replied with 12 points and 8 rebounds for Santa Tecla. 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with A.Lobos. Santa Tecla at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Santa Ana and Cojute. San Salvador is looking forward to face Cojute (#5) in Cojutepeque in the next round. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Liga MB top team - Metapan (5-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Salvadorenos (2-3) 77-49. Center Brayan Garcia (200-1998) had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Noah Harris chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. The best for the losing side was Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: UALR) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Salvadorenos' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Undefeated Metapan have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-0 record. Salvadorenos at the other side keep the seventh place with three games lost.
Bottom-ranked Brujos is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fifth consecutive match to fifth ranked Santa Ana (3-2) 80-69 on Thursday evening. Sean Scott notched a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds by Anthony Gathings did not help to save the game for Brujos. Santa Ana moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Cojute and Santa Tecla. Loser Brujos still closes the standings with five games lost. Santa Ana will meet at home Independiente (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Brujos will play against Santiagueno in Usultan and hope to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 6 Cojute beat Independiente on the road 70-62.



Independiente - Cojute 62-70

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Cojute (3-2) beat on the road 8th ranked Independiente (1-3) 70-62 on Thursday. Cojute made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Independiente outrebounded Cojute 52-36 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Venezuelan guard Maximillion Bell (198-1999, college: Lane) notched a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and guard Aldahir Avalos (185-1996) supported him with 15 points and 4 assists. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 18 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists by American guard Darnell Johnson (201, college: CSUSB) did not help to save the game for Independiente. His fellow American import forward Noryen Lasley (201, college: Ave Maria, agency: Fully Feared Sports) added 13 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Cojute moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Santa Ana and Santa Tecla. Independiente lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. Cojute will meet at home higher ranked San Salvador (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Independiente will play against Santa Ana (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Independiente: D.Johnson 18+15reb+4ast, R.Melendez 13+2reb+2ast, N.Lasley 13+19reb+4ast, B.Leonard 8+10reb, R.MelendezJr 5+2reb+2ast, B.Rico 3+2reb+1ast
Cojute: M.Bell 30+12reb+2ast, A.Avalos 15+4reb+4ast, E.Diaz 15+4reb+1ast, J.Flores 10+4reb+2ast, S.Valladares 0, W.Cabrera 0

Brujos - Santa Ana 69-80

Bottom-ranked Brujos is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fifth consecutive match to fifth ranked Santa Ana (3-2) 80-69 on Thursday evening. Santa Ana made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. American forward Sean Scott (190-1997, college: Pfeiffer) notched a triple-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and the other American import forward Bryce Fitzgerald (203, college: OUAZ, agency: Fully Feared Sports) supported him with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds by American swingman Anthony Gathings (196, college: LCU, agency: Fully Feared Sports) did not help to save the game for Brujos. Gustavo Galdamez (190-1996) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Santa Ana moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Cojute and Santa Tecla. Loser Brujos still closes the standings with five games lost. Santa Ana will meet at home Independiente (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Brujos will play against Santiagueno in Usultan and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Brujos: A.Gathings 28+13reb, G.Galdamez 14+7reb+7ast, W.Chinchilla 10+7reb+5ast, B.Thompson 7+8reb+1ast, H.Ventura 4+6reb+5ast, F.Olmos 4+2reb+1ast
Santa Ana: S.Scott 22+15reb+10ast, B.Fitzgerald 18+18reb, M.Tejada 14+6reb+1ast, E.Guevara 11+1reb, A.Regalado 9+5reb+2ast, H.Escobar 4+3reb+1ast

San Salvador - Santa Tecla 86-60

The most important game in the last round took place in San Salvador between third ranked Santa Tecla (3-2) and sixth ranked San Salvador (3-1) on Friday night. Santa Tecla was crushed by San Salvador on the road 60-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Santa Tecla. It was a key game for the second position in the league. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Tecla's 24. San Salvador had a 41-26 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a good game for Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. American-Costa Rican guard Avery Martinez (198-1999, college: Pikeville) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) replied with 12 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Sammy Colmenero (185-1992, college: SF State) added 10 points and 5 assists in the effort for Santa Tecla. 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 have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with A.Lobos. Santa Tecla at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Santa Ana and Cojute. San Salvador is looking forward to face Cojute (#5) in Cojutepeque in the next round. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: N.Moore 12+8reb+1ast, S.Colmenero 10+2reb+5ast, K.Pineda 9+3reb+1ast, E.Cornejo 8+8reb+1ast, A.Limousine 6+3reb+1ast, D.Huezo 6
San Salvador: Y.Cubillas 26+13reb+2ast, A.Martinez 20+10reb+9ast, G.Toledo-Rivera 15+2reb+2ast, M.Mosley 11+5reb+4ast, J.Gonzalez 5+1reb, W.Merino 4+8reb+5ast

Metapan - Salvadorenos 77-49

Liga MB top team - Metapan (5-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Salvadorenos (2-3) 77-49. Metapan forced 25 Salvadorenos turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Center Brayan Garcia (200-1998) had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Noah Harris (185-2002, college: SNHU) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. Five Metapan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: UALR) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds and naturalized Mali power forward Ibrahima Traore (208-2005) scored 16 points. Salvadorenos' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Metapan have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 5-0 record. Salvadorenos at the other side keep the seventh place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: I.Traore 16+3reb+1ast, M.Hinestroza 13+13reb+3ast, D.Rivera 7+5reb+1ast, E.Rodriguez 6+5reb, M.Guzman 5+1reb+1ast, A.Marthel 2+3reb
Metapan: B.Garcia 16+12reb+4ast, N.Harris 15+6reb+4ast, M.Cairo 12+1reb+2ast, J.Avila 10+6reb+3ast, M.Menjivar 10+1reb+3ast, E.Contreras 8+5reb