Liga MB Round 17: Aguila defeats Santa Ana in the closest game of the week

Freddy Asprilla

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 17 in the Liga MB took place in Santa Ana. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 7th ranked Santa Ana (6-11) to sixth ranked Aguila (8-10) 87-85 in the game for the sixth place. Aguila forced 19 Santa Ana turnovers and outrebounded them 48-34 including a 21-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American-Colombian forward Freddy Asprilla (208-88, college: Canisius) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 24 rebounds for the winners and forward Luis Almonte (187-88) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Timothy Simmons (195-92, college: DBU) responded with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Aguila have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 8-10 record. Santa Ana lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Izalco. Third ranked host Brujos Izalco (12-6) defeated Halcones (6-12) 80-74. Americans were the main players on the court. Swingman JaCarre Crockett (190-96, college: Philander Smith) nailed 25 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Marc Montavious accounted for 14 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks. Power forward Darian Barnes (206-93, college: Neumann) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 21 rebounds for Halcones in the defeat. Brujos Izalco maintains third place with 12-6 record having four points less than leader Santa Tecla. Halcones at the other side dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Metapan. Second-ranked host Isidro Metapan (14-4) lost to first ranked Santa Tecla (16-2) 79-71. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Isidro Metapan. The best player for the winners was Yuniskel Molina who scored 33 points (!!!). Chris Blake produced 23 points for the hosts. Santa Tecla have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 16-2 record. Loser Isidro Metapan keeps the second position with four games lost.
Tenth-ranked Cojute (3-15) gave a tough game to sixth ranked Aguila (8-10) in Cojutepeque. The visitors from San Miguel managed to secure only two-point victory 98-96. However their fans expected much easier game. Luis Almonte orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Aguila. They maintain sixth place with 8-10 record. Cojute lost their eighth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 15 games lost.
Fifth ranked San Salvador (10-8) crushed at home 10th ranked Cojute (3-15) by 27 points 104-77, which is the biggest margin this round on Sunday night. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. James Milton stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. San Salvador's coach Yull Scott felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador maintains fifth place with 10-8 record. Cojute lost their eighth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 15 games lost.

In the last game of round 17 Santa Ana lost to San Salvador on the opponent's court 74-83.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 26 points and 18 rebounds by Antonio McElrath of COJUTE.