Liga MB Round 15 (Regular Season): Santa Tecla edge Santa Ana by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 15 in the Liga MB took place in Santa Tecla. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Santa Ana (9-5) to eighth ranked Santa Tecla (7-8) 69-66 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Santa Ana. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 32. Santa Tecla forced 24 Santa Ana turnovers. The best player for the winners was American forward Demaris McNeil (201, college: Johnson, FL) who scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (178-1997) chipped in 14 points. Santa Tecla's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocks. Santa Tecla moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Santiagueno. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. They share it with Metapan. Santa Tecla is looking forward to face Santiagueno (#7) in Usultan in the next round. Santa Ana will play at home against Ahuachapan (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in . Second ranked A.Lobos faced 4th placed Salvadorenos. Host A.Lobos (11-4) defeated guests from San Salvador (9-6) 56-52. It was a good game for American swingman Ajang Aguek (201-2000, college: Lander) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Alejandro Quezada contributed with 24 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: UALR) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks for Salvadorenos. Salvadorenos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. A.Lobos maintains second place with 11-4 record having four points less than leader San Salvador. Salvadorenos at the other side dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. A.Lobos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Salvadorenos will play on the road against Brujos (#11) in Izalco and hope to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Brujos managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses on Friday night. This time they edged ninth-ranked Ahuachapan 89-86. It was a great evening for DAndre Collins who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). The best for the losing side was Jerome Savoy with 46 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Ahuachapan's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Brujos maintains eleventh place with 2-14 record. Ahuachapan lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Brujos will meet at home higher ranked Salvadorenos (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ahuachapan will play against Santa Ana (#4) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
San Salvador crushed Independiente in a road game 113-82. Metapan smashed Brujos at home 114-81. Cojute lost to undefeated San Salvador on the opponent's court 65-101.



Independiente - San Salvador 82-113

There was no surprise when 10th ranked Independiente (2-12) was crushed at home by leader San Salvador (15-0) 113-82 on Wednesday. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Independiente's 32. They outrebounded Independiente 44-32 including a 38-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. San Salvador looked well-organized offensively handing out 36 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Independiente's players. It was a great evening for power forward Brayan Garcia (194-1998) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) helped adding 22 points and 11 rebounds. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. San Salvador's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American guard Darnell Johnson (201, college: CSUSB) with a double-double by scoring 45 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds and guard Cesar Gonzalez (-1994) scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. San Salvador have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-0 record. Independiente lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 12 games lost. San Salvador will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Independiente will play against Ahuachapan (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Independiente: D.Johnson 45+13reb+3ast, C.Gonzalez 18+6reb+8ast, M.Rodriguez 14+2reb+1ast, V.Mercado 2+1reb+1ast, R.Melendez 2+6reb+3ast, E.Cortez 1+3reb
San Salvador: B.Garcia 24+10reb+7ast, Y.Cubillas 22+11reb+3ast, L.Valle 18+3reb+2ast, M.Menjivar 14+1reb+3ast, N.Guzman 13+3reb+4ast, K.Saravia 12+1reb+5ast

Metapan - Brujos 114-81

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Metapan (9-5) smashed at home bottom-ranked Brujos (2-14) 114-81 on Wednesday. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Brujos' 42. Metapan forced 26 Brujos turnovers and outrebounded them 39-26 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Metapan looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Brujos' players. It was a great evening for American swingman Andravious Smith (198-1995, college: Tougaloo) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import point guard Marquise Mosley (175-1997, college: Biola, CA) helped adding 15 points and 4 assists. Metapan's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American guard DAndre Collins (196, college: Bridgeport) with 19 points and 8 rebounds and Eduardo Castro scored 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Metapan moved-up to third place, which they share with Santa Ana. Brujos lost tenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 14 games lost. Metapan will meet Salvadorenos (#5) in the next round. Brujos will play against Salvadorenos (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Brujos: D.Collins 19+8reb+3ast, E.Castro 18+1reb+3ast, W.Chinchilla 17+3reb+1ast, G.Galdamez 15+4reb+2ast, R.Guillen 6+1reb+1ast, J.Acevedo 4+6reb
Metapan: A.Smith 36+11reb+4ast, L.Saravia 15+2reb+2ast, M.Mosley 15+4reb+4ast, M.Cairo 11+9reb+2ast, E.Contreras 8+3reb+8ast, J.Avila 8

A.Lobos - Salvadorenos 56-52

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in . Second ranked A.Lobos faced 4th placed Salvadorenos. Host A.Lobos (11-4) defeated guests from San Salvador (9-6) 56-52. A.Lobos forced 19 Salvadorenos turnovers. It was a good game for American swingman Ajang Aguek (201-2000, college: Lander) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 22 rebounds and 5 blocks. Dominican Alejandro Quezada (195-1995) contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Venezuelan-Colombian center Michael Hinestroza (210-1990, college: UALR) answered with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 blocks and Jose Ayala (-2006) added 13 points in the effort for Salvadorenos. Salvadorenos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. A.Lobos maintains second place with 11-4 record having four points less than leader San Salvador. Salvadorenos at the other side dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. A.Lobos will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Salvadorenos will play on the road against Brujos (#11) in Izalco and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: J.Ayala 13+3reb+1ast, M.Hinestroza 12+15reb+4ast, D.Rivera 11+2reb+2ast, G.Medrano 6+7reb+4ast, E.Calderon 4+7reb+1ast, I.Traore 3+5reb
A.Lobos: A.Quezada 24+14reb+3ast, A.Aguek 20+22reb+2ast, E.Rojas 7+7reb, A.Ortega 3+1reb+5ast, F.Urquilla 2+6reb+2ast, F.Carcamo 0+2reb

Santa Tecla - Santa Ana 69-66

The most exciting game of round 15 in the Liga MB took place in Santa Tecla. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Santa Ana (9-5) to eighth ranked Santa Tecla (7-8) 69-66 on Thursday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Santa Ana. Santa Tecla dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 32. Santa Tecla forced 24 Santa Ana turnovers. The best player for the winners was American forward Demaris McNeil (201, college: Johnson, FL) who scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Darius Daniels (178-1997) chipped in 14 points. Santa Tecla's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Marc Montavious (206-1990, college: Georgetown, KY) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocks and Guatemalan point guard Lee Vasquez (173) added 23 points and 9 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) respectively. Santa Tecla moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Santiagueno. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. They share it with Metapan. Santa Tecla is looking forward to face Santiagueno (#7) in Usultan in the next round. Santa Ana will play at home against Ahuachapan (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: L.Vasquez 23+4reb+9ast, M.Montavious 15+21reb+2ast, J.Araujo 10+2reb+2ast, E.Guevara 9+2reb, L.Martinez 7+11reb+1ast, S.Gross 2+1reb
Santa Tecla: D.McNeil 17+7reb, D.Daniels 14+3reb+2ast, A.Barahona 9+6reb+4ast, E.Cornejo 7+6reb, D.Aguilar 6+4ast, L.Portal 6+5reb

San Salvador - Cojute 101-65

Very expected game when 6th ranked Cojute (7-9) was rolled over on the road by leader San Salvador (15-0) 101-65 on Friday. San Salvador dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Cojute's 28. San Salvador had a 42-30 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Cojute's players. It was a great evening for Cuban forward Yoel Cubillas (204-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. Dominican guard Nargenis Ulloa (182-1997) helped adding 30 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was guard Aldahir Avalos (185-1996) with 17 points and 7 rebounds and American swingman Shian Bradshaw (194-1995, college: Wake Tech CC) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Four Cojute players 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. San Salvador have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-0 record. Loser Cojute dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Cojute: A.Avalos 17+7reb+2ast, S.Bradshaw 13+9reb+2ast, F.Alvarez 12+8reb+2ast, W.Merino 10+6reb+3ast, J.Flores 7+4reb+1ast, E.Ayala 3
San Salvador: N.Ulloa 30+10reb+4ast, Y.Cubillas 26+16reb+7ast, B.Garcia 19+9reb+6ast, J.Crespin 8+1ast, P.Figueroa 5+3reb+1ast, M.Menjivar 5+2reb+1ast

Ahuachapan - Brujos 86-89

Bottom-ranked Brujos managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses on Friday night. This time they edged ninth-ranked Ahuachapan 89-86. It was a great evening for American guard DAndre Collins (196, college: Bridgeport) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 6 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Gustavo Galdamez (190-1996) helped adding 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Brujos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Jerome Savoy (185, college: Pfeiffer) with 46 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and center Teodoro Romero (202-1985) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. Ahuachapan's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total thirteen players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Brujos maintains eleventh place with 2-14 record. Ahuachapan lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Brujos will meet at home higher ranked Salvadorenos (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ahuachapan will play against Santa Ana (#4) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Ahuachapan: J.Savoy 46+8reb+5ast, T.Romero 21+13reb+1ast, S.Scott 13+6reb+2ast, S.Mendoza 3+3reb+1ast, E.Linares 3+6reb, K.Ramirez 0
Brujos: D.Collins 28+6reb+2ast, G.Galdamez 18+10reb+4ast, R.Guillen 17+4reb+2ast, W.Chinchilla 12+4reb+3ast, E.Castro 5+4reb+2ast, O.Trejo 5+4reb