Liga MB Round 7: San Salvador defeat Cojute in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the Liga MB took place in San Salvador. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Cojute (4-4) to third ranked San Salvador (5-3) 96-93 in the game for the third place. It was a great evening for American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. American-Puerto Rican forward Julian Torres (206-97, college: LSUA) helped adding 27 points and 18 rebounds. At the losing side American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) responded with 29 points and 7 rebounds. San Salvador have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 5-3 record having just three points less than leader Santa Tecla. Cojute at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. San Salvador are looking forward to face Brujos (#5) in Izalco in the next round. Cojute will play at home against the league's leader Santa Tecla and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Santa Ana. Second ranked host Santa Ana (7-1) smashed 3rd placed San Salvador (5-3) 128-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Marc Montavious accounted for 20 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) came up with 19 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for San Salvador in the defeat. 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 Ana have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-1 record behind leader Santa Tecla. San Salvador at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Santa Ana will play against Aguila (#6) in San Miguel in the next round. San Salvador will play at home against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (8-0) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they beat sixth ranked Aguila (2-5) 83-65. Brian Vasquez fired 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Oreste Torres produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds for lost side. Undefeated Santa Tecla have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Loser Aguila keeps the sixth position with five games lost. Santa Tecla will meet Cojute (#4) in the next round. Aguila will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana and hope to secure a win.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-7) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to seventh ranked Brujos (3-5) 91-71. Worth to mention a great performance of Anthony Moe who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 24 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos moved-up to fifth place. Chalchuapa lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Brujos' next round opponent will be higher ranked San Salvador (#3) on the road and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chalchuapa will play against Fantasmas (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Cojute (4-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-6). Cojute defeated Fantasmas 100-84 on Thursday. It was a great evening for Jordan Young who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 22 rebounds. Cojute maintains fourth place with 4-4 record. Loser Fantasmas keep the seventh position with six games lost. Cojute will face league's leader Santa Tecla at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fantasmas will play against Chalchuapa (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 7 Fantasmas lost to Aguila on the opponent's court 75-84.

San Salvador - Cojute 96-93

The most exciting game of round 7 in the Liga MB took place in San Salvador. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Cojute (4-4) to third ranked San Salvador (5-3) 96-93 in the game for the third place. It was a great evening for American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 12 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. American-Puerto Rican forward Julian Torres (206-97, college: LSUA) helped adding 27 points and 18 rebounds. At the losing side American swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) responded with 29 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import Shahmel Brackett (183-91, college: UNCP) scored 28 points and 4 assists. San Salvador have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 5-3 record having just three points less than leader Santa Tecla. Cojute at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. San Salvador are looking forward to face Brujos (#5) in Izalco in the next round. Cojute will play at home against the league's leader Santa Tecla and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Smith 29+7reb+3ast, S.Brackett 28+4reb+4ast, K.Martinez 17+5reb+4ast, J.Young 9+12reb+4ast, N.Avalos 6+4ast, R.Melendez 4+3reb+2ast
San Salvador: C.Blake 41+12reb+8ast, J.Torres 27+18reb+2ast, R.Palma 14+2reb, C.Loucel 9+1reb+1ast, L.Gutierrez 2+5reb+6ast, M.William 2+2reb+1ast

Aguila - Fantasmas 84-75

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Fantasmas' (2-6) road loss to sixth ranked Aguila (2-5) 75-84 on Tuesday. It was a great evening for Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 15 rebounds. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-92, college: PR-Bayamon) helped adding 16 points and 12 rebounds. Aguila's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American forward Harrison Rieger (193-98) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds and Bryan Masel scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Aguila maintains sixth place with 2-5 record. Loser Fantasmas keep the seventh position with six games lost. Aguila will face league's second-placed Santa Ana at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fantasmas will play against Chalchuapa (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: R.Harrison 27+11reb+2ast, M.Bryan 20+6reb, C.Sorto 11+3reb+1ast, J.Philippe 11+11reb+1ast, F.Martinez 3+1reb, M.Josue 3+2reb+1ast
Aguila: V.Lee 23+5reb+3ast, O.Torres 22+15reb, V.Carattini 16+12reb+3ast, M.Aguilar 12+1reb+2ast, C.Marquina 5+6reb, E.Contreras 4+4reb+4ast

Santa Ana - San Salvador 128-81

The game between Top Four teams took place in Santa Ana. Second ranked host Santa Ana (7-1) smashed 3rd placed San Salvador (5-3) 128-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Salvador. Santa Ana dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to San Salvador's 36. They outrebounded San Salvador 50-21 including a 35-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Ana shot the lights out from three nailing 17 long-distance shots on high 68.0 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by San Salvador's players. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Ron Lawton (196-95, college: NMHU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 9 assists. His fellow American import center Marc Montavious (206-90, college: Georgetown, KY) accounted for 20 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Five Santa Ana players scored in double figures. American Chris Blake (195-88, college: Detroit) came up with 19 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and Eduardo Escalante (181-93) added 16 points respectively for San Salvador in the defeat. 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 Ana have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-1 record behind leader Santa Tecla. San Salvador at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Santa Ana will play against Aguila (#6) in San Miguel in the next round. San Salvador will play at home against Brujos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: C.Blake 19+5reb+2ast, R.Martinez 18+1reb+3ast, E.Escalante 16+3reb+3ast, P.Figueroa 7+1reb, C.Loucel 5+1reb+2ast, J.Torres 4+3reb+1ast
Santa Ana: R.Lawton 43+11reb+9ast, E.Ishman 25+8reb+4ast, M.Montavious 20+15reb+7ast, C.Benjamin 15+7reb+4ast, I.Sandoval 15+3reb+3ast, M.Tejada 9+4reb

Brujos - Chalchuapa 91-71

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (0-7) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to seventh ranked Brujos (3-5) 91-71. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 48. Brujos forced 20 Chalchuapa turnovers and outrebounded them 56-35 including a 36-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Brujos brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Guyanese-American power forward Anthony Moe (207-90, college: Millersville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 24 rebounds. American center Troidell Carter (206, college: Slippery Rock) contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks for the winners. Four Brujos players scored in double figures. American forward Jose Ortiz (190-90, college: DelVal) answered with 28 points and 5 rebounds and guard Mario Gonzalez (183-94) added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists in the effort for Chalchuapa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos moved-up to fifth place. Chalchuapa lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Brujos' next round opponent will be higher ranked San Salvador (#3) on the road and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chalchuapa will play against Fantasmas (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: J.Ortiz 28+5reb+1ast, M.Gonzalez 11+7reb+9ast, F.Marcus 9+10reb+3ast, C.Fortenberry-Miller 7+6reb+2ast, O.Loy 6+1reb, D.Paiz 5
Brujos: A.Moe 28+24reb+2ast, T.Carter 24+13reb+3ast, J.Araujo 13+2reb+10ast, J.Crespin 11+4reb+3ast, R.Santos 9+3reb+4ast, J.Angulo 2+1reb+5ast

Santa Tecla - Aguila 83-65

Liga MB top team - Santa Tecla (8-0) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they beat sixth ranked Aguila (2-5) 83-65. They outrebounded Aguila 59-38 including a 21-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Guard Brian Vasquez (190) fired 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Cuban Lisvan Valdez (196-88) chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Cuban Oreste Torres (204-87) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds and Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-92, college: PR-Bayamon) added 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Santa Tecla have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 8-0 record. Loser Aguila keeps the sixth position with five games lost. Santa Tecla will meet Cojute (#4) in the next round. Aguila will play against the league's second-placed Santa Ana and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aguila: O.Torres 23+14reb+1ast, V.Carattini 18+8reb+4ast, M.Aguilar 9+2reb+1ast, C.Marquina 6+6reb+1ast, V.Lee 5+3reb+4ast, E.Contreras 4+1ast
Santa Tecla: V.Brian 29+6reb+2ast, L.Valdez 18+8reb+4ast, B.Garcia 12+10reb+3ast, D.Jaramillo 9+3reb, C.Arias 7+10reb+1ast, O.Perez 6+17reb+4ast

Fantasmas - Cojute 84-100

The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Cojute (4-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Fantasmas (2-6). Cojute defeated Fantasmas 100-84 on Thursday. Cojute dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Fantasmas' 46. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Jordan Young (201-97, college: Dalton St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 22 rebounds. His fellow American import swingman Andravious Smith (196-95, college: Tougaloo) helped adding 31 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side Bryan Masel responded with 44 points (!!!) and American forward Harrison Rieger (193-98) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Cojute maintains fourth place with 4-4 record. Loser Fantasmas keep the seventh position with six games lost. Cojute will face league's leader Santa Tecla at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fantasmas will play against Chalchuapa (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: M.Bryan 44+4reb+1ast, R.Harrison 25+14reb+5ast, C.Sorto 8+9reb, H.Carlos 4+4reb, J.Philippe 3+12reb+4ast, J.Nelson 0+1reb
Cojute: A.Smith 31+8reb+3ast, S.Brackett 26+7reb+8ast, J.Young 23+22reb+3ast, C.Carlos 8+3reb+1ast, J.Maria Rivas 3, K.Martinez 3+6reb+3ast



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