Liga MB Round 4: Santa Ana lose their first game against Santa Tecla

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Santa Ana (3-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by Santa Tecla (5-0) 109-90. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Santa Ana. They outrebounded Santa Ana 55-33 including a 38-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Santa Tecla especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 64.3 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 22 rebounds and guard Brian Vasquez (190) who added 32 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Santa Tecla's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) responded with 26 points and 9 rebounds. Undefeated Santa Tecla have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 5-0 record. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost. Santa Tecla are looking forward to face Brujos (#5) in Izalco in the next round. Santa Ana will play at home against Chalchuapa and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Fantasmas (1-2) against fourth ranked San Salvador (2-2) on Wednesday night. Visiting Fantasmas were crushed by San Salvador in San Salvador 123-83. The winners were led by American-Puerto Rican forward Julian Torres (206-97, college: LSUA) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds and Chris Blake supported him with 26 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals by Luis Rivera did not help to save the game for Fantasmas. San Salvador moved-up to third place, which they share with Cojute and Brujos. Fantasmas at the other side dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. San Salvador will play against Aguila (#7) in San Miguel in the next round. Fantasmas will play at home against the league's second-placed Santa Ana to get more than just one victory in their record.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to sixth ranked Cojute (2-2) 133-61 on Wednesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. Andravious Smith fired a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Jose Ortiz produced 35 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for lost side. Cojute moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos and San Salvador. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with four games lost. Cojute will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Izalco supposed to be also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Aguila (1-3) played at the court of sixth ranked Brujos (2-2). Brujos smashed Aguila 95-73. It was a very good performance for Troidell Carter who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds. Brujos moved-up to third place, which they share with Cojute and San Salvador. Aguila at the other side dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. Brujos' next round opponent will be league's leader Santa Tecla on the road and it will be for sure the game of the week. Aguila will play against San Salvador (#3) and hope to win that game.

San Salvador - Fantasmas 123-83

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Fantasmas (1-2) against fourth ranked San Salvador (2-2) on Wednesday night. Visiting Fantasmas were crushed by San Salvador in San Salvador 123-83. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 88 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 42. They outrebounded Fantasmas 50-35 including a 39-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. San Salvador players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American-Puerto Rican forward Julian Torres (206-97, college: LSUA) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) supported him with 26 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Four San Salvador players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals by Luis Rivera did not help to save the game for Fantasmas. Bryan Masel added 23 points for lost side. San Salvador moved-up to third place, which they share with Cojute and Brujos. Fantasmas at the other side dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. San Salvador will play against Aguila (#7) in San Miguel in the next round. Fantasmas will play at home against the league's second-placed Santa Ana to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: C.Blake 26+3reb+8ast, J.Torres 25+13reb, R.Martinez 20+5reb+5ast, L.Gutierrez 14+5reb, E.Escalante 8+4reb+5ast, I.Andaluz 8+4reb+1ast
Fantasmas: M.Bryan 23+4reb+3ast, R.Luis 17+10reb+6ast, J.Philippe 15+6reb+1ast, C.Sorto 9+9reb+2ast, J.Nelson 7, F.Martinez 5+1ast

Cojute - Chalchuapa 133-61

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-4) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to sixth ranked Cojute (2-2) 133-61 on Wednesday evening. Cojute dominated down low during the game scoring 88 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 42. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 57-28 including a 40-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Cojute looked well-organized offensively handing out 38 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Americans were the main players on the court. Swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) fired a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Forward Jordan Young (201-97, college: Dalton St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds. Four Cojute players scored in double figures. Forward Jose Ortiz (190-90, college: DelVal) produced 35 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and guard Chad Fortenberry-Miller (201-91, college: MacMurray) added 9 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Cojute moved-up to third place, which they share with Brujos and San Salvador. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with four games lost. Cojute will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chalchuapa will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Smith 41+17reb+6ast, R.Anthony 21+2reb+2ast, J.Young 20+15reb+2ast, J.Maria Rivas 13+2reb+2ast, K.Martinez 13+1reb+2ast, J.Gomez 10+9reb+1ast
Chalchuapa: J.Ortiz 35+8reb+3ast, G.Bryan 9+1ast, C.Fortenberry-Miller 9+9reb+2ast, J.Cruz 4+6reb+1ast, D.Valle Fernando 2+1ast, Q.Daniel 2+4reb+1ast

Santa Ana - Santa Tecla 90-109

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Santa Ana (3-1) at the home court on Thursday night. Hosts were rolled over by Santa Tecla (5-0) 109-90. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Santa Ana. They outrebounded Santa Ana 55-33 including a 38-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Santa Tecla especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 64.3 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 22 rebounds and guard Brian Vasquez (190) who added 32 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Santa Tecla's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American Eddie Ishman (196-86, college: Miles) responded with 26 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Santa Tecla have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 5-0 record. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost. Santa Tecla are looking forward to face Brujos (#5) in Izalco in the next round. Santa Ana will play at home against Chalchuapa and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 32+5reb+3ast, O.Perez 17+22reb+3ast, C.Arias 15+12reb+3ast, B.Garcia 13+7reb+1ast, A.Arias 11+4reb+4ast, D.Jaramillo 9+1reb
Santa Ana: E.Ishman 26+9reb+1ast, I.Sandoval 13+3reb+3ast, R.Lawton 13+6reb+3ast, C.Benjamin 12+4reb+3ast, M.Montavious 10+8reb+1ast, M.Tejada 6

Brujos - Aguila 95-73

The game in Izalco supposed to be also worth to mention about. 5th ranked Aguila (1-3) played at the court of sixth ranked Brujos (2-2). Brujos smashed Aguila 95-73. Brujos made 21-of-26 charity shots (80.8 percent) during the game. Brujos outrebounded Aguila 49-34 including 34 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a very good performance for American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds. Point guard Mauricio Lahud (175-84) contributed with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Lee Vasquez (177-91) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and guard Edgar Contreras (177-1) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Aguila. Five Brujos and four Aguila players scored in double figures. Brujos moved-up to third place, which they share with Cojute and San Salvador. Aguila at the other side dropped to the seventh position with three games lost. Brujos' next round opponent will be league's leader Santa Tecla on the road and it will be for sure the game of the week. Aguila will play against San Salvador (#3) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Brujos: T.Carter 19+14reb+3ast, J.Araujo 17+6reb+5ast, M.Lahud 16+7reb+6ast, R.Santos 14+4reb+2ast, J.Angulo 13+4reb+2ast, W.Nethan 11+10reb+2ast
Aguila: V.Lee 19+6reb+10ast, E.Contreras 16+5reb+1ast, C.Marquina 13+4reb, R.Patten 11+6reb, C.Didier 6+2reb, M.Aguilar 4+4reb+2ast



Tags : EDDIE ISHMAN, MC EL BRASIL SANTA ANA, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL