Liga MB Round 9 (Regular Season): Santa Tecla defeat San Salvador in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the Liga MB took place in San Salvador. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of second-best San Salvador (6-2) to sixth ranked Santa Tecla (4-5) 78-75 on Monday evening. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Tecla made 7 blocks. Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners and Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) chipped in 13 points and 16 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. Defending champion maintains sixth place with 4-5 record. San Salvador at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Cojutepeque. Leader host Cojute (8-0) smashed second-best San Salvador (6-2) 74-49. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) nailed a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and Nick Moore accounted for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) came up with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks 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. Undefeated Cojute have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. San Salvador at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Cojute will play against bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. San Salvador will have a break next round.
The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. 4th placed Brujos (4-3) played at the court of fifth ranked Fantasmas (4-3). Fantasmas managed to secure a 8-point victory 82-74 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brujos. The best player for the winners was Andravious Smith who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds. Fantasmas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Alejandro De Los Santos who recorded 31 points and 9 rebounds. Fantasmas moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Brujos. Fantasmas will meet at home Santiagueno (#7) in the next round. Brujos will play against Metapan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.



Cojute - San Salvador 74-49

The game between Top Four teams took place in Cojutepeque. Leader host Cojute (8-0) smashed second-best San Salvador (6-2) 74-49. Cojute held San Salvador to an opponent 19.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 35.3 percent accuracy of the winners. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) nailed a triple-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) accounted for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) came up with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks and Luis Valle (190-1997) added 14 points and 7 rebounds 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. Cojute have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. San Salvador at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost. Cojute will play against bottom-ranked Chalchuapa (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. San Salvador will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Jeremy 30+10reb+10ast, N.Moore 14+17reb+2ast, K.Martinez 12+6reb+2ast, M.William 7+6reb, P.Figueroa 6+5reb, R.David 3
San Salvador: L.Valle 14+7reb, B.Garcia 11+12reb, E.Rodriguez 9+8reb+1ast, C.Edwin 4+5reb+2ast, P.Roque 4+2reb+2ast, B.Oscar 3

Fantasmas - Brujos 82-74

The game in San Vicente was also quite interesting. 4th placed Brujos (4-3) played at the court of fifth ranked Fantasmas (4-3). Fantasmas managed to secure a 8-point victory 82-74 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Brujos. Fantasmas forced 22 Brujos turnovers. The best player for the winners was American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (178) chipped in 31 points and 5 rebounds. Fantasmas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican forward Alejandro De Los Santos (193-2002) who recorded 31 points and 9 rebounds and center Carlos Arias (200-1989) added 14 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Fantasmas moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Brujos. Fantasmas will meet at home Santiagueno (#7) in the next round. Brujos will play against Metapan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fantasmas: D.Darius 31+5reb+1ast, A.Smith 28+12reb+1ast, A.Smith 11+7reb+2ast, C.Sorto 8+1reb+1ast, J.Nelson 3+1reb, N.Carlos 1+4reb+1ast
Brujos: D.Los Santos Alejandro 31+9reb+1ast, C.Arias 14+9reb, F.Angulo 7+1reb, A.Joe 6+3reb+2ast, L.Adonis 6+10reb+1ast, A.Arias 3+2reb

San Salvador - Santa Tecla 75-78

The most exciting game of round 9 in the Liga MB took place in San Salvador. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of second-best San Salvador (6-2) to sixth ranked Santa Tecla (4-5) 78-75 on Monday evening. Santa Tecla looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Santa Tecla made 7 blocks. Dominican power forward Jose Espinal (208-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners and Dominican swingman Elian Torres (201-2000) chipped in 13 points and 16 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks and power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains sixth place with 4-5 record. San Salvador at the other side keeps the second position with two games lost.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: E.Jose 21+13reb+3ast, L.Portal 17+2reb+5ast, E.Torres 13+16reb+3ast, F.Fernando 9+2reb+4ast, E.Lahud 9+4reb+3ast, J.Barahona 7+9reb+7ast
San Salvador: N.Coutin 23+17reb+1ast, P.Roque 13+5reb+4ast, B.Garcia 11+14reb+3ast, L.Valle 11+5reb+2ast, E.Rodriguez 10+1reb+5ast, C.Edwin 7+6reb+1ast