Liga MB Round 10: Quezaltepeque beats Aguila by two after a very close game

The Regular Season in Liga MB just ended. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Seventh-ranked Aguila (3-8) used its home court advantage to challenge fourth ranked Quezaltepeque (8-4) in San Miguel on Sunday. The visitors from Quezaltepeque managed to secure only two-point victory 71-69. However their fans expected easier game. Quezaltepeque forced 19 Aguila turnovers and outrebounded them 47-35 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds. The other American import Anthony Brown (193-89, college: Imperial Valley JC) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Luis Almonte (187-88) replied with 23 points and 5 steals for Aguila. Quezaltepeque moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos Izalco. Aguila at the other side keeps the seventh position with eight games lost.
Bottom-ranked Halcones managed to get a third victory, breaking the seven-game losing streak. This time defending champion outleveled ninth-ranked 11 Lobos in Sonzacate 115-92. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 23-point difference proves that Halcones was well-prepared to that game. American power forward Darian Barnes (206-93, college: Neumann) had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and Marcus Faison chipped in 31 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Patrick Wrencher (201-95, college: St.Francis, PA) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 16 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. Defending champion (3-9) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Cojute. 11 Lobos lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost.
The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. 4th ranked Quezaltepeque (8-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Santa Ana (5-7). Santa Ana managed to secure a 7-point victory 101-94 on Friday. Timothy Simmons notched a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the effort. Even 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Douglas Bairez did not help to save the game for Quezaltepeque. Santa Ana maintains sixth position with 5-7 record. Loser Quezaltepeque dropped to the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Brujos Izalco.
The game in San Miguel was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked San Salvador (7-5) played at the court of 7th ranked Aguila (3-8). San Salvador did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 85-66. Joshua Windham fired 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Aguila's coach Darwin Veliz rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. San Salvador have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 7-5 record. Aguila at the other side keeps the seventh place with eight games lost.
The game between second ranked Isidro Metapan (10-2) and 8th ranked Cojute (3-9) in Metapan on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Isidro Metapan outscored guests from Cojutepeque 104-82. It was a very good performance for Bartel Lopez who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 19 rebounds and 13 blocks. Isidro Metapan's coach Jose Luis Damaso felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Isidro Metapan have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Santa Tecla. Loser Cojute keeps the eighth place with nine games lost.

In the last game of round 10 Brujos Izalco smashed 11 Lobos on the road 82-62.

Santa Ana - Quezaltepeque 101-94

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. 4th ranked Quezaltepeque (8-4) played at the court of sixth ranked Santa Ana (5-7). Santa Ana managed to secure a 7-point victory 101-94 on Friday. Santa Ana shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Timothy Simmons (195-92, college: DBU) notched a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the effort and Puerto Rican point guard Lee Vazquez (173-91, college: Westfield St.) supported him with 37 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. Even 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Douglas Bairez (180-88) did not help to save the game for Quezaltepeque. American center Darohn Scott (198-96, college: Cent Michigan) added 12 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks for lost side. Four Santa Ana and five Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. Santa Ana maintains sixth position with 5-7 record. Loser Quezaltepeque dropped to the third place with four games lost. They share the position with Brujos Izalco.
Top scorers:
Quezaltepeque: E.Ishman 24+5reb, D.Bairez 23+6reb+4ast, B.Garcia 15+5reb+1ast, D.Scott 12+17reb+3ast, A.Brown 12+2reb, R.Miranda 4+1reb+2ast
Santa Ana: L.Vazquez 37+9reb+1ast, T.Simmons 30+13reb+12ast, D.Cacho 15+5reb+3ast, I.Sandoval 14+1reb+2ast, D.Pena 3, E.Mendoza 2+1ast

Aguila - Quezaltepeque 69-71

Seventh-ranked Aguila (3-8) used its home court advantage to challenge fourth ranked Quezaltepeque (8-4) in San Miguel on Sunday. The visitors from Quezaltepeque managed to secure only two-point victory 71-69. However their fans expected easier game. Quezaltepeque forced 19 Aguila turnovers and outrebounded them 47-35 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds. The other American import Anthony Brown (193-89, college: Imperial Valley JC) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Luis Almonte (187-88) replied with 23 points and 5 steals and Venezuelan forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-88) added 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks in the effort for Aguila. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Quezaltepeque moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos Izalco. Aguila at the other side keeps the seventh position with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Aguila: A.Luis 23+4reb+2ast, K.Caraballo 16+9reb+4ast, E.Ramirez 12+4reb+1ast, F.Asprilla 11+12reb+3ast, B.Castellon 5+5reb+3ast, C.Hernandez 2+1reb+1ast
Quezaltepeque: E.Ishman 20+14reb+2ast, A.Brown 17+5reb+2ast, D.Bairez 13+3reb+3ast, B.Garcia 12+5reb+2ast, E.Paiz 5, D.Scott 2+18reb

Isidro Metapan - Cojute 104-82

The game between second ranked Isidro Metapan (10-2) and 8th ranked Cojute (3-9) in Metapan on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Isidro Metapan outscored guests from Cojutepeque 104-82. Isidro Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Cojute's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Isidro Metapan made 14 blocks. It was a very good performance for Nicaraguan center Bartel Lopez (213-89) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 23 points, 19 rebounds and 13 blocks. American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit Mercy) contributed with 31 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Isidro Metapan's coach Jose Luis Damaso felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Antonio McElrath (201-88, college: Coastal Alabama CC) replied with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 21 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Christopher Miller (192-93, college: Salem Intern.) added 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Cojute. Isidro Metapan have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Santa Tecla. Loser Cojute keeps the eighth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.McElrath 31+21reb+2ast, C.Miller 30+7reb+5ast, C.Calejas 11+2reb+2ast, M.Walter 8+8reb+5ast, R.Melendez 2+1reb+3ast, A.Alvarado 0+5reb
Isidro Metapan: C.Blake 31+5reb+6ast, B.Lopez 23+19reb+1ast, J.Colorado 18+4reb+5ast, O.Torres 8+2reb+7ast, M.Ramos 7+4reb+4ast, A.Regalado 7+1reb

11 Lobos - Brujos Izalco 62-82

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Brujos Izalco (8-4) crushed bottom-ranked 11 Lobos (2-9) in Chalchuapa 82-62 on Friday. Brujos Izalco looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Quite impressive performance for Vincentian center Akeme Smart (218-91, college: McCook CC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 24 rebounds. American swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) contributed with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American forward Patrick Wrencher (201-95, college: St.Francis, PA) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 23 rebounds and 4 assists and Venezuelan forward Darwin Jaramillo (192-86) added 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for 11 Lobos. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brujos Izalco moved-up to third place, which they share with Quezaltepeque. 11 Lobos lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
11 Lobos: D.Jaramillo 27+5reb+5ast, P.Wrencher 14+23reb+4ast, M.Tejada 14+1reb+1ast, B.Merritt 7+7reb+5ast, R.Luis 0+1ast, W.Molina 0+1reb
Brujos Izalco: J.Crockett 21+7reb+5ast, A.Smart 19+24reb, L.Valle 12+6reb+1ast, J.Araujo 8+2reb+6ast, J.Angulo 8+3reb+1ast, X.Keeling 5+6reb+6ast

Halcones - 11 Lobos 115-92

Bottom-ranked Halcones managed to get a third victory, breaking the seven-game losing streak. This time defending champion outleveled ninth-ranked 11 Lobos in Sonzacate 115-92. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 23-point difference proves that Halcones was well-prepared to that game. They made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Halcones forced 21 11 Lobos turnovers. American power forward Darian Barnes (206-93, college: Neumann) had a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Marcus Faison (196-94, college: Salem St.) chipped in 31 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Barnes is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side American forward Patrick Wrencher (201-95, college: St.Francis, PA) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 16 rebounds and Venezuelan forward Darwin Jaramillo (192-86) scored 22 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion (3-9) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Cojute. 11 Lobos lost eighth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
11 Lobos: P.Wrencher 28+16reb, D.Jaramillo 22+9reb+3ast, M.Tejada 20+8reb, M.Gonzalez 14+2reb, R.Erick 4+3reb, R.Luis 4+3reb
Halcones: M.Faison 31+8reb+1ast, D.Barnes 30+12reb+2ast, W.Kenny 22+5reb+5ast, A.Merino 13+1reb+2ast, B.Fernando 5, C.Rafael 3

Aguila - San Salvador 66-85

The game in San Miguel was also worth to mention about. Fifth ranked San Salvador (7-5) played at the court of 7th ranked Aguila (3-8). San Salvador did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 85-66. The game was mostly controlled by San Salvador. Aguila was better in third quarter 22-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. San Salvador forced 19 Aguila turnovers. It was a great shooting night for San Salvador especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.6 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American point guard Joshua Windham (190-94, college: Bluefield St.) fired 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward James Milton (204-92, college: Stevenson) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. Venezuelan forward Kelvin Caraballo (198-88) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Luis Almonte (187-88) added 28 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for lost side. Aguila's coach Darwin Veliz rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. San Salvador have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 7-5 record. Aguila at the other side keeps the seventh place with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Aguila: A.Luis 28+6reb+1ast, K.Caraballo 19+12reb+5ast, E.Ramirez 6+3reb+2ast, F.Asprilla 5+16reb+1ast, O.Mendez 3, R.Emilio 3
San Salvador: J.Windham 19+6reb+5ast, J.Milton 16+6reb, L.Escoto 11+2reb+4ast, O.Rivera 11+3reb+3ast, Q.Scates 10+3reb+3ast, M.Lahud 8+2reb+1ast