Liga MB Round 17 (Regular Season): Santa Ana beat Santa Tecla by one after a very close game

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in Liga MB and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 17 in the Liga MB took place in Santa Ana. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Santa Tecla (5-11) to seventh ranked Santa Ana (5-11) 85-84 in the game for the sixth place. Santa Ana forced 21 Santa Tecla turnovers. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 28 rebounds and 4 assists. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) contributed with 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American forward Ron Lawton (196-1995, college: NMHU) answered with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 13 rebounds for Santa Tecla. Santa Ana moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Santa Tecla. Santa Ana is looking forward to face league's second-placed Cojute in Cojutepeque in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Cojute (11-4) against fifth ranked San Salvador (10-5) on Monday night. Visiting Cojute was defeated by San Salvador in San Salvador 76-58. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winners and Neysser Coutin chipped in 16 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. San Salvador's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) responded with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. San Salvador maintains fifth place with 10-5 record. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the second position with four games lost. They share it with Metapan. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cojute will play at home against Santa Ana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their 14th consecutive match to fourth ranked Metapan (11-4) 108-79 on Tuesday evening. Xavier Zambrana nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Ryann Mercado came up with 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for Chalchuapa 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. Metapan have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Cojute. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with 14 games lost. Metapan will meet Fantasmas (#4) in the next round. Chalchuapa will play against Santiagueno (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last game of round 17 San Salvador beat Santiagueno on the road 72-55.



San Salvador - Cojute 76-58

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Cojute (11-4) against fifth ranked San Salvador (10-5) on Monday night. Visiting Cojute was defeated by San Salvador in San Salvador 76-58. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 26. They outrebounded Cojute 59-43 including 21 on the offensive glass. San Salvador players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Cojute's players. They brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks for the winners and Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) chipped in 16 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. San Salvador's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Jeremy Agosto (177-1997) responded with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 21 rebounds and 7 blocks. San Salvador maintains fifth place with 10-5 record. Cojute lost third consecutive game. They keep the second position with four games lost. They share it with Metapan. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cojute will play at home against Santa Ana and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Jeremy 26+8reb+6ast, S.Kevin 14+4reb+2ast, N.Moore 10+21reb+1ast, N.Avalos 6+5reb, K.Martinez 2+3reb+3ast, R.David 0
San Salvador: B.Garcia 26+17reb+3ast, E.Rodriguez 16+3reb+7ast, N.Coutin 16+16reb+4ast, G.Levi 7+3reb+5ast, P.Roque 6+8reb+2ast, L.Valle 3+8reb+1ast

Metapan - Chalchuapa 108-79

Bottom-ranked Chalchuapa is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their 14th consecutive match to fourth ranked Metapan (11-4) 108-79 on Tuesday evening. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Chalchuapa's 38. They outrebounded Chalchuapa 67-37 including a 28-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Chalchuapa's players. Puerto Rican Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) accounted for 22 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Five Metapan players scored in double figures. Puerto Rican point guard Ryann Mercado (182-1987, college: App State) came up with 33 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and naturalized Puerto Rican swingman Miguel Velez (185-1997, college: Hartnell JC) added 28 points respectively for Chalchuapa 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. Metapan have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Cojute. Chalchuapa at the other side still closes the standings with 14 games lost. Metapan will meet Fantasmas (#4) in the next round. Chalchuapa will play against Santiagueno (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Chalchuapa: R.Mercado 33+6reb+3ast, M.Velez 28+4reb+2ast, M.Samuels 11+7reb+3ast, Q.Daniel 6+1reb, H.Eleazar 1+7reb+2ast, E.Steven 0
Metapan: Y.Cubillas 22+15reb+4ast, X.Zambrana 22+15reb+6ast, L.Saravia 21+4reb+4ast, R.Miranda 14+10reb+1ast, M.Tejada 13+7reb, P.Kevin 8+3reb

Santa Ana - Santa Tecla 85-84

The most exciting game of round 17 in the Liga MB took place in Santa Ana. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 6th ranked Santa Tecla (5-11) to seventh ranked Santa Ana (5-11) 85-84 in the game for the sixth place. Santa Ana forced 21 Santa Tecla turnovers. Dominican forward Frankyn Batista (198-1999, college: Pace) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 28 rebounds and 4 assists. American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) contributed with 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Batista is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Santa Ana players scored in double figures. American forward Ron Lawton (196-1995, college: NMHU) answered with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import center Cameron Lard (206-1997, college: Iowa St.) added 22 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Santa Tecla. Santa Ana moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Santa Tecla. Santa Ana is looking forward to face league's second-placed Cojute in Cojutepeque in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: R.Lawton 30+13reb+2ast, C.Lard 22+7reb+1ast, E.Lahud 15+1reb+4ast, E.Jose 8+13reb+2ast, L.Portal 7+9reb+1ast, J.Barahona 1+10reb+9ast
Santa Ana: F.Batista 38+28reb+4ast, S.Bradshaw 17+6reb+1ast, A.Luis 12+5reb+4ast, R.Benjamin 11+2reb, M.Melvin 3+2reb, F.Carcamo 2+1reb+3ast

Santiagueno - San Salvador 55-72

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked San Salvador (10-5) beat 8th ranked Santiagueno (3-11) in Usultan 72-55 on Thursday. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 32. Power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Cuban swingman Neysser Coutin (192-1996, agency: Pro Sports) accounted for 23 points and 6 rebounds. Puerto Rican guard Victor Carattini (185-1992, college: PR-Bayamon) came up with 20 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and Puerto Rican center Giovanny Martinez (206-1998, college: Jarvis Christian) added 16 points and 5 blocks respectively for Santiagueno in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San Salvador maintains fifth place with 10-5 record. Santiagueno lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 11 games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Santiagueno will play against Chalchuapa (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santiagueno: V.Carattini 20+9reb, G.Martinez 16+3reb, G.Andres 7+7reb+1ast, L.Kevin 4+1reb, M.Aguilar 3+10reb+4ast, L.Ever 3+7reb+1ast
San Salvador: N.Coutin 23+6reb+2ast, B.Garcia 16+15reb+4ast, E.Rodriguez 13+7reb+4ast, P.Roque 8+4reb+3ast, L.Valle 4+3reb+1ast, D.Urias 4+3reb+1ast