Liga Nacional Round 5 (Regular Season): PSM keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked PSM as it allowed them to take a leadership position. PSM defeated 5th ranked Salcaja at home 46-40. Undefeated PSM (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Salcaja at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Salcaja will play next round against strong Huehuetenango trying to get back on the winning streak. PSM will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Chimaltenango on the road.
Fifth ranked Baja Veraoaz (3-2) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Antigua FC (2-2) 69-66 in the game for the third place. Baja Veraoaz moved-up to third place. Antigua FC at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Baja Veraoaz will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antigua FC will play against Jutiapa (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in between San Jose and Nahuala. Seventh ranked San Jose (1-3) got a very close home victory over bottom-ranked Nahuala (0-5). San Jose managed to escape with a 1-point win 43-42 on Saturday evening. San Jose left bottom position moving up to sixth place. It was Nahuala's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Tecpan. San Jose will meet Tecpan (#9) in the next round. Nahuala will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: winless Patulul was destroyed by Huehuetenango on the opponent's court 97-78. Solola outscored Tecpan in a home game 87-53. Jutiapa lost to undefeated St. Lucia on the road 63-109. El Progreso was defeated by Izabal on its own court 70-78.



Huehuetenango - Patulul 97-78

Rather expected game when bottom-ranked Patulul (0-4) was crushed on the road by fourth ranked Huehuetenango (4-1) 97-78 on Saturday. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Huehuetenango. They maintain fourth place with 4-1 record. Patulul lost their fourth game in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. Huehuetenango will meet Salcaja (#5) in the next round. Patulul will play against Solola and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Antigua FC - Baja Veraoaz 66-69

Fifth ranked Baja Veraoaz (3-2) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging second-ranked Antigua FC (2-2) 69-66 in the game for the third place. Baja Veraoaz moved-up to third place. Antigua FC at the other side dropped to the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Baja Veraoaz will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antigua FC will play against Jutiapa (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

San Jose - Nahuala 43-42

A very close game took place in between San Jose and Nahuala. Seventh ranked San Jose (1-3) got a very close home victory over bottom-ranked Nahuala (0-5). San Jose managed to escape with a 1-point win 43-42 on Saturday evening. San Jose left bottom position moving up to sixth place. It was Nahuala's fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Tecpan. San Jose will meet Tecpan (#9) in the next round. Nahuala will have a break next round.

PSM - Salcaja 46-40

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked PSM as it allowed them to take a leadership position. PSM defeated 5th ranked Salcaja at home 46-40. PSM (5-0) have an impressive series of five victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Salcaja at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Salcaja will play next round against strong Huehuetenango trying to get back on the winning streak. PSM will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Chimaltenango on the road.

Solola - Tecpan 87-53

Very predictable result when leader Solola (4-0) smashed at home bottom-ranked Tecpan (0-5) 87-53 on Saturday. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Solola. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with St. Lucia and Chimaltenango. Tecpan lost their fifth game in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Nahuala. Solola will meet Patulul (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Tecpan will play against San Jose and hopes to get finally their first victory.

St. Lucia - Jutiapa 109-63

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Jutiapa (1-4) was rolled over on the road by leader St. Lucia (4-0) 109-63 on Saturday. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for St. Lucia. They maintain first place with 4-0 record, which they share with Chimaltenango and Solola. Jutiapa lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the eighth position with four games lost. They share it with El Progreso. St. Lucia will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Jutiapa will play against Antigua FC (#4) and hope to win that game.

El Progreso - Izabal 70-78

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Izabal (3-1) beat on the road 8th ranked El Progreso (1-4) 78-70 on Saturday. Izabal moved-up to second place. Loser El Progreso keeps the eighth position with four games lost. They share it with Jutiapa. Izabal will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. El Progreso will play against Amatitlan P. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.