Liga Mayor Round 9 (Regular Season): Metapan beat Santa Ana in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Metapan. Third ranked Metapan faced 4th placed Santa Ana. Host Metapan (6-3) smashed guests from (4-5) 100-59. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Ana. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 22. Metapan forced 28 Santa Ana turnovers and outrebounded them 51-38 including 40 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Monica Aristondo (163-1992) who had a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Cuban center Rachel Contreras (184-1999) chipped in 20 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Vanessa Hernandez (157-1997) who recorded 26 points and 7 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 maintains third place with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Salvadorenas. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Santa Tecla. Metapan are looking forward to face Ahuachapan (#7) on the road in the next round. Santa Ana will play against the league's second-placed San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Capitalinas (0-9) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 96-67 loss to seventh ranked Ahuachapan (3-6) in . It was a good game for guard Heimy Lopez (167-2004) who led her team to a victory with 43 points (!!!) and 6 steals. Maria Montero contributed with 11 points, 16 rebounds, 20 assists and 9 steals for the winners. Forward Gabriela Funes (178-2008) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for Capitalinas. Ahuachapan moved-up to sixth place, which they share with L.M.Mons. Capitalinas at the other side still closes the standings with nine games lost. Ahuachapan will play against higher ranked Metapan (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Capitalinas will play against L.M.Mons. (#6) and hope to get finally their first victory.
The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Second ranked Salvadorenas (8-1) played at the court of 6th ranked L.M.Mons. (3-6). Salvadorenas managed to secure a 6-point victory 65-59 on Saturday. Niky Orantes stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Yenifer Jimenez with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. Salvadorenas keep a position of league leader, which they share with San Salvador. L.M.Mons. lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Ahuachapan. Salvadorenas will meet Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round. L.M.Mons. will play against Capitalinas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 9 Santa Tecla was defeated by San Salvador in a road game 63-52.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

San Salvador - Santa Tecla 63-52

There was no surprise when 5th ranked Santa Tecla (4-5) was defeated on the road by second ranked San Salvador (8-1) 63-52 on Friday. San Salvador held Santa Tecla to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 27.8 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Santa Tecla 63-41 including a 22-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when San Salvador made 8 blocks. Cuban point guard Arlenys Romero (176-1984) stepped up and scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and Anisleidy Galindo chipped in 21 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Ecuadorian center Genesis Zabaleta (180-2002) with 8 points and 17 rebounds and forward Alejandra Lima (162-2001) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Santa Tecla's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. San Salvador have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Salvadorenas. Loser Santa Tecla dropped to the fourth place with five games lost. They share the position with Santa Ana. San Salvador will meet at home Santa Ana (#4) in the next round. Santa Tecla will play against the league's leader Salvadorenas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Santa Tecla: C.Paola 11+3reb+2ast, L.Alejandra 11+5reb+3ast, G.Monica 9+3reb+3ast, Z.Genesis 8+17reb+2ast, L.Camila 6+7reb+1ast, M.Leyda 3+1reb+1ast
San Salvador: A.Romero 23+7reb+6ast, A.Galindo 21+12reb+1ast, A.Heredia 8+13reb+1ast, E.Dominguez 6+6reb+1ast, K.Mena 5+9reb, N.Morales 0+1reb

L.M.Mons. - Salvadorenas 59-65

The game in Santa Ana was also quite interesting. Second ranked Salvadorenas (8-1) played at the court of 6th ranked L.M.Mons. (3-6). Salvadorenas managed to secure a 6-point victory 65-59 on Saturday. Salvadorenas dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to L.M.Mons.'s 18. They outrebounded L.M.Mons. 58-45 including 21 on the offensive glass. Forward Niky Orantes (167-2009) stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and center Silvia Vega (176-2003) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Dominican swingman Yenifer Jimenez (163-1999) with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals and Katherinne Rivas scored 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Salvadorenas keep a position of league leader, which they share with San Salvador. L.M.Mons. lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with six games lost. They share the position with Ahuachapan. Salvadorenas will meet Santa Tecla (#5) on the road in the next round. L.M.Mons. will play against Capitalinas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
L.M.Mons.: J.Yenifer 23+14reb+7ast, R.Katherinne 15+9reb+4ast, C.Monica 10+9reb+1ast, O.Karla 6+5reb, M.Maritza 3+1reb+1ast, C.Ligia 2+2reb+1ast
Salvadorenas: N.Orantes 17+9reb+1ast, G.Medina 11+3reb+2ast, S.Vega 11+11reb+1ast, G.Alvarado 7+6reb+2ast, A.Ayala 6+3reb+4ast, G.Alfaro 5+4reb+3ast

Metapan - Santa Ana 100-59

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Metapan. Third ranked Metapan faced 4th placed Santa Ana. Host Metapan (6-3) smashed guests from (4-5) 100-59. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Santa Ana. Metapan dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Santa Ana's 22. Metapan forced 28 Santa Ana turnovers and outrebounded them 51-38 including 40 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Monica Aristondo (163-1992) who had a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Cuban center Rachel Contreras (184-1999) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Metapan players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Vanessa Hernandez (157-1997) who recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds and guard Fabiola Rivera (162-2006) added 10 points respectively. 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 maintains third place with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Salvadorenas. Santa Ana at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Santa Tecla. Metapan are looking forward to face Ahuachapan (#7) on the road in the next round. Santa Ana will play against the league's second-placed San Salvador and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Santa Ana: H.Vanessa 26+7reb+1ast, R.Fabiola 10+4reb, H.Paola 6+1reb, T.Dairis 6+4reb+1ast, H.Isabella 5+3reb+2ast, P.Crissia 3+4reb
Metapan: M.Aristondo 36+8reb+3ast, R.Contreras 20+17reb+4ast, V.Ruiz 19+3reb+4ast, J.Kellogg 15+6reb, C.Miranda 4+2reb+2ast, A.Molina 2+4reb+4ast

Capitalinas - Ahuachapan 67-96

Bottom-ranked Capitalinas (0-9) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 96-67 loss to seventh ranked Ahuachapan (3-6) in . They dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Capitalinas' 40. Ahuachapan forced 33 Capitalinas turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists. It was a good game for guard Heimy Lopez (167-2004) who led her team to a victory with 43 points (!!!) and 6 steals. Cuban swingman Maria Montero (176-1998) contributed with 11 points, 16 rebounds, 20 assists and 9 steals for the winners. Forward Gabriela Funes (178-2008) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and guard Liliana Flores (154-2009) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Capitalinas. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ahuachapan moved-up to sixth place, which they share with L.M.Mons. Capitalinas at the other side still closes the standings with nine games lost. Ahuachapan will play against higher ranked Metapan (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Capitalinas will play against L.M.Mons. (#6) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Capitalinas: F.Gabriela 19+10reb+3ast, F.Liliana 14+7reb+2ast, C.Natalia 11+5reb+2ast, C.Jaylin 11+10reb, B.Estefany 5+5reb+4ast, H.Tatiana 3+1reb+6ast
Ahuachapan: H.Lopez 43+2reb+3ast, P.Ericka 15+11reb+3ast, K.Munoz 13+5reb, M.Montero 11+16reb+20ast, J.Escobar 6+2reb, L.Escobar 4+5reb+3ast