Liga MB Round 16: Santa Tecla keep a leadership position

Yoel Cubillas

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Santa Tecla as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Santa Tecla smashed 5th ranked Santa Ana at home 119-87. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 42. They outrebounded Santa Ana 47-27 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Santa Ana's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Tecla made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 blocks (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Dominican Darwin Cabrera contributed with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Marcus Feagin (193-1991) replied with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists for Santa Ana. Santa Ana's coach Melvin Marroquin gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Santa Tecla have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Santa Ana at the other side dropped to the sixth place with seven games lost. Santa Ana will play next round against Brujos trying to get back on the winning streak. Santa Tecla will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
The game in Izalco was also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Quezaltepeque (5-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Brujos (3-7). Quezaltepeque defeated Brujos 101-86. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocks and Jose Araujo who added 32 points during the contest. At the losing side Guyanese-American center Anthony Moe (207-1990, college: Millersville) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Quezaltepeque moved-up to fifth place. Brujos at the other side keep the eighth position with seven games lost. Quezaltepeque will play against higher ranked Metapan (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Brujos will play against Santa Ana (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between 9th ranked Santiagueno (3-8) and second ranked San Salvador (10-1) in Usultan on Wednesday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from San Salvador outscored Santiagueno 89-55. The winners were led by Andravious Smith who scored that evening 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Even a double-double of 19 points and 27 rebounds by Freddy Asprilla did not help to save the game for Santiagueno. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San Salvador maintains second position with 10-1 record behind leader Santa Tecla. Santiagueno lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with eight games lost. San Salvador will meet at home Fantasmas (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Santiagueno will play against Cojute in Cojutepeque and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 16 bottom-ranked Chalchuapa was smashed by Metapan on the road 109-83.
The most impressive performance of 16th round was 34 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds by Deikel Sanchez of Metapan.