Liga MB Round 8: Metapan keeps a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Metapan as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Metapan defeated 10th ranked Brujos at home 105-92. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 46. They outrebounded Brujos 46-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Puerto Rican forward Derek Reese (203-1993, college: Tennessee) contributed with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Joshua Quincy replied with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds for Brujos. Metapan have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Brujos at the other side keep the tenth place with one game lost. Brujos will play next round against Cojute trying to get back on the winning streak. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Another exciting game for Aguila (7-1) which played on the court of San Salvador (6-2). First ranked Aguila saved the game by a tiny margin of three points 101-98. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Brenden Van Dyke (203-1998, college: Emporia St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and Pablo Rivas who added 28 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks. Aguila have an impressive five-game winning streak. Despite that victory Aguila went down to second position due to points difference. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. Aguila will play against Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round. San Salvador will play against Santa Ana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Brujos' fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after one consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Chalchuapa, where they defeated Chalchuapa (0-9) 113-98 on Friday. The winners were led by Arinze Obiora who had that evening a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 23 rebounds and 8 assists. Even 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 6 assists by David Daniels did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos maintains tenth position with 1-1 record. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with nine games lost. Brujos will meet at home higher ranked Cojute (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Chalchuapa will play against the league's second-placed Aguila (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 8: Nejapa was smashed by Quezaltepeque on the road 108-70. Cojute destroyed Santiagueno on its own court 104-77. Metapan outscored Santa Ana in a road game 123-104.

San Salvador - Aguila 98-101

Another exciting game for Aguila (7-1) which played on the court of San Salvador (6-2). First ranked Aguila saved the game by a tiny margin of three points 101-98. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of San Salvador. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Aguila forced 22 San Salvador turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Brenden Van Dyke (203-1998, college: Emporia St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and Panamanian forward Pablo Rivas (198-1994, college: NCCU) who added 28 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Rivas is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Dominican forward Adonis Lopez (-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks and Dominican Jonatan Bello (-2001) scored 36 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Aguila have an impressive five-game winning streak. Despite that victory Aguila went down to second position due to points difference. San Salvador at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. Aguila will play against Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round. San Salvador will play against Santa Ana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: B.Jonatan 36+8reb+5ast, L.Adonis 30+20reb+2ast, E.Escalante 12+2reb+1ast, L.Valle 11+5reb+1ast, J.Brown 9+2reb+2ast, C.Carlos 0+1ast
Aguila: P.Rivas 28+6reb, M.Mosley 22+5reb+4ast, B.Van Dyke 21+12reb+3ast, N.Najeen 13+3reb+1ast, B.Garcia 9+8reb+1ast, N.Ojeh 5+1reb+1ast

Metapan - Brujos 105-92

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Metapan as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Metapan defeated 10th ranked Brujos at home 105-92. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 46. They outrebounded Brujos 46-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Puerto Rican forward Derek Reese (203-1993, college: Tennessee) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Metapan players scored in double figures. Joshua Quincy replied with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds and American forward Arinze Obiora (196-1997, college: UMass Dartmouth) added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Brujos. Metapan have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Brujos at the other side keep the tenth place with one game lost. Brujos will play next round against Cojute trying to get back on the winning streak. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Brujos: Q.Joshua 37+13reb+3ast, A.Winston 20+3reb+6ast, A.Obiora 18+10reb+2ast, F.Angulo 8+2reb+1ast, U.Josue 4+3reb+1ast, S.Roberto 3
Metapan: X.Zambrana 20+9reb+5ast, D.Reese 16+12reb+4ast, R.Diaz 12+2reb+4ast, T.Polo 11+12reb+3ast, L.Hernandez 10+1reb+1ast, R.Miranda 9+3reb+3ast

Quezaltepeque - Nejapa 108-70

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Quezaltepeque (7-2) crushed at home 7th ranked Nejapa (4-5) 108-70 on Wednesday. Quezaltepeque dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Nejapa's 38. They outrebounded Nejapa 50-32 including a 36-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Quezaltepeque looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and Alberto Liriano (-1998) supported him with 23 points. Four Quezaltepeque players scored in double figures. Even 28 points and 7 rebounds by American guard Kylon Higgins (190-1993, college: Arkansas Tech) did not help to save the game for Nejapa. His fellow American import forward Brandon OBrien (201-1990, college: Clark Atlanta) added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Quezaltepeque maintains third position with 7-2 record behind leader Metapan. Loser Nejapa keeps the seventh place with five games lost. Quezaltepeque will meet Santiagueno (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Nejapa will play against San Salvador and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nejapa: K.Higgins 28+7reb+3ast, L.Williams 15+6reb+3ast, B.O'Brien 14+10reb+4ast, I.Ariel 4+1reb, M.Justin 3+5reb+2ast, C.Loucel 2+1reb
Quezaltepeque: L.Alberto 23+4reb+2ast, Y.Cubillas 22+14reb+2ast, M.Montavious 16+10reb+2ast, B.Douglas 11+7reb+8ast, V.Diego 9+3reb, E.Paiz 7+2reb+1ast

Cojute - Santiagueno 104-77

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Santiagueno (2-7) was smashed by sixth ranked Cojute (5-4) in Cojutepeque 104-77 on Thursday. Cojute looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Santiagueno's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Cojute made 21 blocks. The winners were led by American swingman Andravious Smith (196-1995, college: Tougaloo) who had that evening a triple-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 5 blocks and Lee Vasquez (176-1991) supported him with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Even a double-double of 16 points and 20 rebounds by American-Colombian center Freddy Asprilla (206-1988, college: Canisius) did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. American guard Joshua Jackson (195-1999) added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Cojute maintains sixth position with 5-4 record. Loser Santiagueno keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Santa Ana. Cojute will meet Brujos (#10) in the next round. Santiagueno will play against Quezaltepeque and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: F.Asprilla 16+20reb+2ast, R.Abraham 16+5reb, J.Joshua 15+8reb, S.Esperanza 12+3reb+2ast, G.Andres 8+3reb, G.Juan 4+1ast
Cojute: A.Smith 28+11reb+10ast, V.Lee 24+7reb+5ast, K.Martinez 11+3reb+2ast, D.Downey 11+10reb+1ast, J.Flores 10+3reb+2ast, N.Avalos 6+3reb+7ast

Chalchuapa - Brujos 98-113

Brujos' fans can finally celebrate the first win of their team after one consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Chalchuapa, where they defeated Chalchuapa (0-9) 113-98 on Friday. Brujos dominated down low during the game scoring 94 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 54 and made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 52-36 including a 37-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Brujos looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The winners were led by American forward Arinze Obiora (196-1997, college: UMass Dartmouth) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 23 rebounds and 8 assists and Joshua Quincy supported him with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Obiora is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Brujos players scored in double figures. Even 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 6 assists by American forward David Daniels (196-1998, college: Spring Hill) did not help to save the game for Chalchuapa. His fellow American import swingman Ameer Biddle (193, college: PS Wilkes Barre) added 31 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brujos maintains tenth position with 1-1 record. Loser Chalchuapa still closes the standings with nine games lost. Brujos will meet at home higher ranked Cojute (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Chalchuapa will play against the league's second-placed Aguila (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: D.Daniels 37+8reb+6ast, A.Biddle 31+6reb+7ast, D.Thompson 17+10reb+2ast, H.Eleazar 5+7reb+1ast, L.Fernando 3+1reb+1ast, R.Guevara 3+1reb+2ast
Brujos: A.Obiora 36+23reb+8ast, Q.Joshua 29+11reb+6ast, A.Winston 24+4reb+8ast, R.Amilcar 10+5reb, M.Luis 6+2reb, F.Martinez 6+2reb

Santa Ana - Metapan 104-123

Very predictable result when third ranked Metapan (8-2) rolled over on the road 8th ranked Santa Ana (2-7) 123-104 on Friday. Metapan shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 66.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 51 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds and American-Puerto Rican forward Derek Reese (203-1993, college: Tennessee) supported him with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Metapan's coach Augusto Gomez used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 33 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds by American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) did not help to save the game for Santa Ana. His fellow American import point guard Armani Chaney (178-1997, college: Tennessee St.) added 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the hosts. Metapan have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Santa Ana keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Santiagueno. Metapan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santa Ana will play against San Salvador (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: S.Bradshaw 33+15reb+2ast, A.Chaney 31+5reb+7ast, C.Benjamin 20+1reb+1ast, I.Sandoval 8+2reb+1ast, M.Melvin 6+3reb+3ast, A.Luis 4+5reb+4ast
Metapan: X.Zambrana 51+19reb+3ast, D.Reese 27+8reb+4ast, T.Polo 18+4reb+4ast, L.Hernandez 8+2ast, R.Miranda 6+1reb+2ast, M.William 6+1reb



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