Liga Metropolitana Round 8 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most shocking disappointment of round 8 was a home defeat of 3rd ranked Amatitlan (3-4) by fourth ranked Forza (4-3) who outscored them by 17 points 76-59 in the game for the third place. Forza dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Amatitlan's 34. Forza forced 20 Amatitlan turnovers and outrebounded them 53-27 including a 21-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of center Helmut Esquivel (196-2000) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Carlos Chavez (191-1989) who added 22 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Luis Arias (-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Amatitlan's coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Forza moved-up to third place. Amatitlan at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Coeindeguasa and Villa Nueva Jrs. Forza are looking forward to face Coeindeguasa (#6) in the next round. Amatitlan will play against the league's leader Halcones and is hoping to win this game.
Very significant was Villa Nueva Jrs' (#7) 16-point road victory against 6th ranked Circulo 67-51. The winners were led by Bryan Mencos (-1999) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and Henry Alay supported him with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Even 29 points and 6 steals by Cristian Diaz (-2000) did not help to save the game for Circulo. Circulo's coach tested eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Villa Nueva Jrs (3-4) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Amatitlan and Coeindeguasa. Circulo at the other side dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. Villa Nueva Jrs will play against bottom-ranked Monjitas BTC (#8) in the next round. Circulo will play against the league's second-placed Villa Nueva and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in . 4th ranked host Coeindeguasa (3-4) was smashed by second ranked Villa Nueva (6-1) 73-25. The best player for the winners was Enrique Samayoa who scored 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Jojathan Portales produced 7 points for the hosts. Coeindeguasa's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Villa Nueva have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 6-1 record having just three point less than leader Halcones. Loser Coeindeguasa keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Amatitlan and Villa Nueva Jrs. They will meet Circulo (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Coeindeguasa will play against Forza and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Amatitlan - Forza 59-76

The most shocking disappointment of round 8 was a home defeat of 3rd ranked Amatitlan (3-4) by fourth ranked Forza (4-3) who outscored them by 17 points 76-59 in the game for the third place. Forza dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Amatitlan's 34. Forza forced 20 Amatitlan turnovers and outrebounded them 53-27 including a 21-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of center Helmut Esquivel (196-2000) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Carlos Chavez (191-1989) who added 22 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Luis Arias (-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and Dilan Castillo (-2003) scored 16 points and 5 assists. Amatitlan's coach rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Forza moved-up to third place. Amatitlan at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Coeindeguasa and Villa Nueva Jrs. Forza are looking forward to face Coeindeguasa (#6) in the next round. Amatitlan will play against the league's leader Halcones and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Amatitlan: C.Dilan 16+1reb+5ast, L.Arias 14+10reb+1ast, E.Crhistopher 7+1reb+2ast, S.Carlos 7+5reb+1ast, B.Eliezer 6+2reb+1ast, W.Ramirez 6+6reb+4ast
Forza: C.Chavez 22+8reb+3ast, H.Esquivel 22+10reb+4ast, L.Perez 18+12reb, A.Juan 6+10reb+2ast, A.Juan 3+3reb, D.Leon Alejandro 3+3reb

Circulo - Villa Nueva Jrs 51-67

Very significant was Villa Nueva Jrs' (#7) 16-point road victory against 6th ranked Circulo 67-51. Villa Nueva Jrs forced 26 Circulo turnovers. The winners were led by Bryan Mencos (-1999) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and Henry Alay supported him with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Four Villa Nueva Jrs players scored in double figures. Even 29 points and 6 steals by Cristian Diaz (-2000) did not help to save the game for Circulo. Henry Cisneros added 5 points and 13 rebounds for the hosts. Circulo's coach tested eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Villa Nueva Jrs (3-4) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Amatitlan and Coeindeguasa. Circulo at the other side dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. Villa Nueva Jrs will play against bottom-ranked Monjitas BTC (#8) in the next round. Circulo will play against the league's second-placed Villa Nueva and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Circulo: D.Cristian 29+3reb+1ast, C.Henry 5+13reb+1ast, D.Darren 5+10reb+3ast, N.Patrick 4+6reb+1ast, G.Francisco 2, J.Mena 2+6reb+1ast
Villa Nueva Jrs: G.Miguel 15+8reb, G.Alvarez 13+8reb+1ast, A.Henry 11+6reb+7ast, M.Bryan 10+13reb+1ast, L.Luis 6+2reb+1ast, M.Victor 5+4reb+1ast

Coeindeguasa - Villa Nueva 25-73

The game between Top Four teams took place in . 4th ranked host Coeindeguasa (3-4) was smashed by second ranked Villa Nueva (6-1) 73-25. Villa Nueva held Coeindeguasa to an opponent 20.8 percent shooting from the field compared to 52.9 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Coeindeguasa 36-24 including a 27-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Enrique Samayoa (193-1982) who scored 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. The former international Ronal Campos (-1987) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. Four Villa Nueva players scored in double figures. Jojathan Portales (-2000) produced 7 points and swingman Angel Estrada (-1989) added 3 points respectively for the hosts. Coeindeguasa's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Villa Nueva have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 6-1 record having just three point less than leader Halcones. Loser Coeindeguasa keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Amatitlan and Villa Nueva Jrs. They will meet Circulo (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Coeindeguasa will play against Forza and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Coeindeguasa: P.Jojathan 7+3reb+1ast, C.Juan Jose 4+3reb, A.Alfonso 4, S.Ottman 3+2reb, E.Angel 3+4reb, D.Villeda 2+1ast
Villa Nueva: E.Samayoa 19+6reb+5ast, R.Campos 18+9reb, R.David 15+4reb, G.Escobar 12+4reb+1ast, R.Ruben 6+6reb+2ast, M.Aquino 3+3reb+2ast



Tags : HELMUT ESQUIVEL, FORZA, GUATEMALAN BASKETBALL