Liga MB Round 6: Santa Ana beat Cojute by one after a very close game

Liga MB is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 6 rounds left. What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 6 in the Liga MB took place in Cojutepeque. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th ranked Cojute (3-3) to second ranked Santa Ana (6-1) 92-91 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cojute. Santa Ana had a 37-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Ana made 8 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Cojute helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 blocks. Forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) contributed with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) replied with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds for Cojute. Santa Ana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 6-1 record behind leader Santa Tecla. Cojute at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Santa Ana are looking forward to face San Salvador (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Cojute will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Fantasmas (2-4) in San Vicente 112-83. Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 32 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Brian Vasquez chipped in 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 11 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Bryan Masel with 30 points. 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 Santa Tecla have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-0 record. Fantasmas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. Santa Tecla will play against Aguila (#7) in San Miguel in the next round where they are favorite. Fantasmas will play at home against Cojute and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to fourth ranked San Salvador (4-2) 98-72 on Saturday evening. Julian Torres notched a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 39 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds by Jose Ortiz did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with six games lost. San Salvador will meet league's second-placed Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Chalchuapa will play against Brujos (#6) in Izalco and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Izalco was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Cojute (3-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Brujos (2-5). Cojute defeated Brujos 88-76. The best player for the winners was Shahmel Brackett who scored 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Cojute's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Cojute maintains fourth position with 3-3 record. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with five games lost. Cojute's next round opponent will be Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente. Brujos will play at home against Chalchuapa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 6 Fantasmas beat Brujos on the road 102-95.
The most impressive performance of 6th round was 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals by Harrison Rieger of Fantasmas.

Fantasmas - Santa Tecla 83-112

Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Fantasmas (2-4) in San Vicente 112-83. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 88 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 38. They outrebounded Fantasmas 62-19 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Santa Tecla players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Puerto Rican forward Owens Perez (203-92) had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 32 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Brian Vasquez (190) chipped in 35 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 11 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Bryan Masel with 30 points and American forward Justin Philippe (201-91, college: TAMUK) scored 14 points and 8 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. Santa Tecla have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-0 record. Fantasmas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. Santa Tecla will play against Aguila (#7) in San Miguel in the next round where they are favorite. Fantasmas will play at home against Cojute and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: M.Bryan 30+4reb, J.Philippe 14+8reb+3ast, C.Sorto 8+3reb+1ast, J.Nelson 5+1reb+4ast, F.Martinez 2+1ast, M.Josue 2
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 35+5reb+11ast, O.Perez 34+32reb+4ast, D.Jaramillo 15+12reb+3ast, P.Manuel 8+3reb, A.Arias 6+3reb+3ast, R.Gerardo 5+1ast

Brujos - Cojute 76-88

The game in Izalco was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Cojute (3-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Brujos (2-5). Cojute defeated Brujos 88-76. Cojute brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) who scored 29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Cojute's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Jose Angulo (179-89) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Four Brujos players scored in double figures. Cojute maintains fourth position with 3-3 record. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with five games lost. Cojute's next round opponent will be Fantasmas (#5) in San Vicente. Brujos will play at home against Chalchuapa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brujos: T.Carter 22+14reb, J.Angulo 14+7reb+3ast, J.Crespin 13+3ast, A.Merino 10+8reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 7+6reb+3ast, P.Kevin 5+4reb
Cojute: S.Brackett 29+7reb+7ast, A.Smith 18+11reb+4ast, J.Young 16+14reb+2ast, K.Martinez 6+3reb+2ast, C.Carlos 5, N.Avalos 4+2reb+2ast

Chalchuapa - San Salvador 72-98

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to fourth ranked San Salvador (4-2) 98-72 on Saturday evening. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 42. American-Puerto Rican forward Julian Torres (206-97, college: LSUA) notched a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds to lead the effort and American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) supported him with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 39 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds by American forward Jose Ortiz (190-90, college: DelVal) did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. His fellow American import forward Marcus Feagin (192-91) added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with six games lost. San Salvador will meet league's second-placed Santa Ana on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Chalchuapa will play against Brujos (#6) in Izalco and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: J.Ortiz 39+10reb+2ast, C.Fortenberry-Miller 16+7reb, F.Marcus 11+14reb, G.Bryan 6+3reb, O.Loy 0+3reb+2ast, D.Paiz 0+2reb+1ast
San Salvador: J.Torres 31+14reb+2ast, M.William 15+5reb+2ast, C.Blake 14+13reb+6ast, S.Bandek 11+1reb+4ast, P.Figueroa 10+1reb, R.Palma 10+5reb+2ast

Cojute - Santa Ana 91-92

The most exciting game of round 6 in the Liga MB took place in Cojutepeque. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 4th ranked Cojute (3-3) to second ranked Santa Ana (6-1) 92-91 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Cojute. Santa Ana had a 37-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Ana made 8 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Cojute helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 blocks. Forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. Swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) replied with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds and Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) added 32 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Cojute. Santa Ana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 6-1 record behind leader Santa Tecla. Cojute at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Santa Ana are looking forward to face San Salvador (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Cojute will play against Fantasmas in San Vicente and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Smith 35+16reb+3ast, S.Brackett 32+5reb+4ast, K.Martinez 10+4reb+4ast, J.Young 8+5reb, N.Avalos 5+2reb+2ast, J.Maria Rivas 1+1reb+1ast
Santa Ana: M.Montavious 24+15reb+4ast, R.Lawton 23+10reb+5ast, C.Benjamin 15+4reb+1ast, E.Ishman 10+13reb+6ast, I.Sandoval 8+2reb+2ast, M.Tejada 7+3reb

Brujos - Fantasmas 95-102

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Fantasmas (2-4) beat 5th ranked Brujos (2-5) in Izalco 102-95. Fantasmas forced 19 Brujos turnovers. The best player for the winners was Bryan Masel who scored 40 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. American forward Harrison Rieger (193-98) chipped in 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was Julio Crespin (184-97) who recorded 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) added 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively. Five Fantasmas and four Brujos players scored in double figures. Fantasmas moved-up to fifth place. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with five games lost. Fantasmas' next round opponent will be higher ranked Cojute (#4) in Cojutepeque and it may be quite challenging game. Brujos will play at home against Chalchuapa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brujos: J.Crespin 25+7reb+4ast, T.Carter 21+10reb, P.Kevin 12+4reb+3ast, R.Santos 12+4reb+5ast, J.Angulo 9+8reb+5ast, A.Merino 6+3reb+2ast
Fantasmas: M.Bryan 40+8reb+1ast, R.Harrison 23+9reb+6ast, J.Philippe 14+3reb+1ast, M.Francisco 10+4reb+3ast, C.Sorto 10+9reb+4ast, F.Martinez 3+2reb+1ast



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