Liga MB Round 22 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Metapan defeat Santa Tecla

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Liga MB top team - Metapan (18-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Santa Tecla (8-12) 91-60. American guard Noah Harris (185-2002, college: SNHU) scored 29 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) chipped in 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) responded with 7 points and 9 rebounds. 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 eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-1 record. Santa Tecla lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face Santiagueno (#10) in Usultan in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 22: Santa Ana won against Ahuachapan on the opponent's court 92-88. San Salvador managed to outperform Independiente in a home game 103-91. Santiagueno was rolled over Salvadorenos on the road 74-53.



Ahuachapan - Santa Ana 88-92

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Ahuachapan (5-14) was defeated at home by sixth ranked Santa Ana (10-10) 92-88 on Wednesday. Santa Ana outrebounded Ahuachapan 48-36 including 16 on the offensive glass. Santa Ana looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Puerto Rican forward Xavier Zambrana (193-1991) had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 22 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Lee Vasquez chipped in 26 points, 7 assists and 6 steals during the contest. At the losing side American forward Kordell Brown (203, college: Columbus St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks and E.J. Blackwell scored 24 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Santa Ana moved-up to fifth place. Ahuachapan lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 14 games lost. Santa Ana will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ahuachapan will play on the road against Cojute (#4) in Cojutepeque and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: L.Vasquez 26+2reb+7ast, Z.Xavier 26+22reb+6ast, M.Tejada 15+8reb, C.Arias 10+5reb, M.Luna 5+4reb, A.Regalado 5+1reb+6ast
Ahuachapan: K.Brown 25+11reb+3ast, B.E.J. 24+8reb+3ast, S.Robert 17+1reb+4ast, A.Francisco 12+2reb+3ast, C.Paul 7+4reb+1ast, A.Rene 3

San Salvador - Independiente 103-91

Rather predictable result when third ranked San Salvador (16-3) defeated at home 5th ranked Independiente (9-10) 103-91 on Wednesday. San Salvador made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Yoel Cubillas had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Marquise Mosley (170-1997, college: Biola, CA, agency: Crossover Management) chipped in 23 points and 13 assists during the contest. Five San Salvador players scored in double figures. San Salvador's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Darnell Johnson (201, college: CSUSB, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) responded with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds and scored 30 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. San Salvador have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Independiente at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. They share it with Salvadorenos. San Salvador are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Brujos (#11) in Izalco in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Independiente will play against A.Lobos (#3) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
San Salvador: Y.Cubillas 34+13reb+1ast, M.Marquise 23+1reb+13ast, A.Martinez 17+9reb+4ast, W.Merino 13+8reb+4ast, G.Toledo-Rivera 13, L.Valle 3+2reb+1ast
Independiente: D.Johnson 30+12reb+3ast, S.Lincoln 30+6reb+4ast, N.Lasley 17+9reb+4ast, R.Marcello 6+2reb, M.Ronald 5+1ast, M.Ronald 3+4reb

Salvadorenos - Santiagueno 74-53

Not a big story in a game in San Salvador where 10th ranked Santiagueno (4-15) was rolled over by seventh ranked Salvadorenos (9-10) 74-53 on Thursday. Salvadorenos dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Santiagueno's 30. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Salvadorenos made 8 blocks. Michael Hinestroza had a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and Ibrahima Traore chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Salvadorenos players scored in double figures. At the losing side Colombian center John Hernandez (207-1984) responded with 9 points and 19 rebounds and American point guard Marquise Mosley (170-1997, college: Biola, CA, agency: Crossover Management) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Salvadorenos moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Independiente. Santiagueno at the other side keeps the tenth position with 15 games lost. Salvadorenos is looking forward to face higher ranked A.Lobos (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Santiagueno will play against the league's leader Metapan (#1) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Salvadorenos: I.Traore 16+7reb+3ast, A.Marthel 14+6reb+4ast, M.Hinestroza 13+15reb+4ast, M.Guzman 10+3reb+4ast, D.Hernandez 6+3reb+1ast, G.Medrano 4+4reb+1ast
Santiagueno: A.Alexis 13+4reb+1ast, A.Melvin 12+5reb+1ast, J.Hernandez 9+19reb+3ast, L.Kevin 8+3reb+4ast, C.Mario 8+2reb, C.Baltazar 3+7reb+1ast

Metapan - Santa Tecla 91-60

Liga MB top team - Metapan (18-1) had no problems winning another game on Thursday. This time they crushed eighth ranked Santa Tecla (8-12) 91-60. American guard Noah Harris (185-2002, college: SNHU) scored 29 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) chipped in 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Metapan players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Nick Moore (198-1991, college: Alliance) responded with 7 points and 9 rebounds and scored 4 points and 11 rebounds. 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 eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-1 record. Santa Tecla lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. Metapan are looking forward to face Santiagueno (#10) in Usultan in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Santa Tecla will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Metapan: H.Noah 29+4reb+5ast, C.Marvin 17+9reb+4ast, B.Garcia 15+5reb, E.Contreras 11+2reb+1ast, L.Hernandez 8+3reb+3ast, A.Barahona 4+4reb+1ast
Santa Tecla: C.Edwin 11+1reb+2ast, R.Gerardo 11+5reb+1ast, H.Demian 8+1reb, G.Cesar 7+1reb, N.Moore 7+9reb+3ast, I.Ariel 4+11reb+2ast