Liga MB Round 26: Metapan lose to Santa Tecla in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Metapan. Second-ranked host Metapan (16-4) lost to third ranked Santa Tecla (16-4) 69-59. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Metapan. They outrebounded Metapan 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Dominican guard Jose Liriano (189-1998) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 19 rebounds. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Metapan.
Bottom-ranked Nejapa managed to get a fourth victory, breaking the thirteen-game losing streak. This time they outleveled eighth-ranked Santa Ana 113-82. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 31-point difference proves that Nejapa was well-prepared to that game. American Marcus Faison (196-1994, college: Salem St.) notched a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Spencer Grand supported him with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Nejapa's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 28 points and 4 assists by Irving Sandoval (180-1988) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. Nejapa (4-15) moved-up to ninth place. Santa Ana lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost.
The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Brujos (10-10) played at the court of sixth ranked Fantasmas (9-11). Fantasmas did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 83-65 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Osmel Oliva who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Fantasmas' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Eliezer Valdez produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds for the guests. Fantasmas maintains sixth position with 9-11 record. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 26: Aguila destroyed Chalchuapa on the opponent's court 103-70. Santiagueno outscored Santa Ana in a home game 110-67. Metapan rolled over Cojute on the road 102-73.

Chalchuapa - Aguila 70-103

Very expected game when 9th ranked Chalchuapa (4-16) was crushed at home by fourth ranked Aguila (14-5) 103-70 on Saturday. Aguila dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 22. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 59-36 including a 18-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Aguila looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. The best player for the winners was American Darryl Palmer (198-1994, college: SC State) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Bryan Garcia (168-1997) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Aguila players scored in double figures. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Abraham (182-1987, college: App State) produced 27 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American Gorg Alhag (190-1997, college: Mayville St.) added 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Aguila have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 14-5 record. Chalchuapa at the other side dropped to the tenth place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Cojute.
Top scorers:
Aguila: D.Palmer 29+14reb+4ast, L.Portal 16+1reb, J.Araujo 15+7reb+4ast, G.Bryan 11+20reb+4ast, K.Martinez 10+3reb+5ast, J.Barahona 9+6reb+11ast
Chalchuapa: R.Abraham 27+8reb+5ast, G.Alhag 22+10reb+5ast, R.Erick 18+5reb+1ast, H.Eleazar 3+5reb, L.Fernando 0, A.Christopher 0+4reb+1ast

Santiagueno - Santa Ana 110-67

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Santiagueno's (8-12) home victory over 8th ranked Santa Ana (5-15) 110-67 on Saturday. Santiagueno dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 40. They outrebounded Santa Ana 65-28 including a 29-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Santiagueno looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Santa Ana's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santiagueno made 11 blocks. The best player for the winners was American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 41 rebounds and 7 assists. American Xavier Eaglin (201-1997, college: PVAMU) chipped in 22 points and 5 rebounds. Eaglin is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Santiagueno players scored in double figures. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Irving Sandoval (180-1988) produced 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks and point guard Melvin Marroquin (185-1999) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Santiagueno maintains seventh position with 8-12 record. Santa Ana lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: F.Asprilla 28+41reb+7ast, X.Eaglin 22+5reb+3ast, G.Juan 13, S.Esperanza 13+3reb+6ast, P.Roque 12+10reb+8ast, M.Mario 7+2reb
Santa Ana: I.Sandoval 26+6reb+1ast, M.Melvin 11+6reb+4ast, F.Bryan 10+2reb+3ast, Z.Gerardo 9+3reb, A.Luis 6+4reb+4ast, G.Galdamez 5+7reb+5ast

Cojute - Metapan 73-102

Not a big story in a game in Cojutepeque where 10th ranked Cojute (4-16) was rolled over by second ranked Metapan (16-4) 102-73 on Saturday. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 48. Metapan forced 22 Cojute turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Cojute's players. The best player for the winners was Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 17 rebounds. Venezuelan point guard Edwin Mijares (186-1992) chipped in 17 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. Four Metapan players scored in double figures. American swingman Andravious Smith (196-1995, college: Tougaloo) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 19 rebounds and point guard Ronald Melendez (178-1984) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Metapan have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 16-4 record having just three points less than leader San Salvador, which they share with Santa Tecla. Cojute lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Chalchuapa.
Top scorers:
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 26+17reb+3ast, D.Jaramillo 17+5reb+1ast, E.Mijares 17+4reb+8ast, A.Regalado 14+4reb+1ast, M.Taylor 14+8reb+3ast, M.Ramos 8+3reb+10ast
Cojute: A.Smith 23+19reb+1ast, R.Melendez 16+10reb, N.Avalos 13+3reb+4ast, T.Jefferson 6+1reb+3ast, J.Flores 6+4reb, J.Cruz 6

Santa Ana - Nejapa 82-113

Bottom-ranked Nejapa managed to get a fourth victory, breaking the thirteen-game losing streak. This time they outleveled eighth-ranked Santa Ana 113-82. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 31-point difference proves that Nejapa was well-prepared to that game. They dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 34. They outrebounded Santa Ana 56-28 including a 39-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Nejapa players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. American Marcus Faison (196-1994, college: Salem St.) notched a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the effort and Spencer Grand supported him with 35 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Nejapa's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 28 points and 4 assists by Irving Sandoval (180-1988) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. Costa Rican Luis Alfaro (-2001) added 19 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Nejapa (4-15) moved-up to ninth place. Santa Ana lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost.
Top scorers:
Nejapa: G.Spencer 35+8reb+4ast, M.Faison 30+23reb+10ast, T.Gabriel 24+10reb+4ast, E.Paiz 7+6reb+5ast, C.Amaya 5+1reb, M.Justin 5
Santa Ana: I.Sandoval 28+4reb+4ast, A.Luis 19+5reb+3ast, E.Mendoza 15+3reb+1ast, F.Bryan 7+1ast, Z.Gerardo 6+4reb+1ast, M.Melvin 5+8reb+1ast

Fantasmas - Brujos 83-65

The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Brujos (10-10) played at the court of sixth ranked Fantasmas (9-11). Fantasmas did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 83-65 on Sunday. Fantasmas forced 22 Brujos turnovers. The best player for the winners was Cuban point guard Osmel Oliva (180-1987) who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Henry Sherrod chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Four Fantasmas players scored in double figures. Fantasmas' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Dominican Eliezer Valdez produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and Julio Crespin (184-1997) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Fantasmas maintains sixth position with 9-11 record. Brujos lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: O.Oliva 21+6reb+3ast, S.Henry 14+12reb+2ast, R.Lawton 13+4reb+4ast, B.Douglas 12+5reb+7ast, C.Sorto 8+6reb, L.Gutierrez 6+4reb+2ast
Brujos: V.Eliezer 22+14reb, J.Crespin 13+6reb+3ast, S.Roberto 10+4reb+1ast, E.Valdez 9+2reb+3ast, R.Douglas 5+1ast, G.Galdamez 2+5reb+3ast

Metapan - Santa Tecla 59-69

The game between Top Four teams took place in Metapan. Second-ranked host Metapan (16-4) lost to third ranked Santa Tecla (16-4) 69-59. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Metapan. They outrebounded Metapan 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. Colombian Michaell Jackson (190-1987) had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Dominican guard Jose Liriano (189-1998) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 19 rebounds and point guard Martin Ramos (171-1992) scored 17 points and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Metapan.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: M.Jackson 25+10reb+2ast, J.Liriano 21+6reb+2ast, E.Rodriguez 15+3reb+1ast, R.Gerardo 4+3reb, M.Lahud 2+1reb, A.Arias 2+5reb+1ast
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 19+19reb, M.Ramos 17+1reb+5ast, D.Jaramillo 13+2ast, M.Taylor 8+7reb+1ast, E.Mijares 2+1reb+5ast, C.Benjamin 0+3reb+2ast



Tags : MICHAELL JACKSON, ITD SANTA TECLA BC, SALVADOREAN BASKETBALL