Liga Metropolitana Round 8 (Regular Season): Solola keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Solola as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Solola defeated 5th ranked Forza at home 82-68. Solola dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Forza's 28. They outrebounded Forza 38-19 including a 26-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Taliik Ross (213, college: Keyano) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import guard Bryant Randleman (193-2000, college: JMU, agency: Interperformances) who added 23 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. point guard Herlin Rodriguez (174-2001) responded with 34 points (!!!). Solola have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with USAC. Forza lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Forza faces strong USAC trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala - USAC. Solola will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Pat City in Guatemala.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Guatemala: Leones (#4) and Pat City (#6). Leones (5-3) smashed visiting Pat City (0-7) by 16 points 95-79. The winners were led by center Luke Garrison (-1997) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds and Derek Morgan supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even 27 points and 5 rebounds by American point guard Myson Lowe (178-2001, college: Converse) did not help to save the game for Pat City. Leones moved-up to third place. Pat City at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Leones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena PSN.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Guatemala: USAC (#1) and PSN (#4). USAC (5-2) won against visiting PSN (4-3) 73-58. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of PSN. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was Victor Sosa who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Cesar Catalan produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. USAC maintains first position with 5-2 record, which they share with Solola. Loser PSN keeps the fourth place with three games lost. USAC's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.




Leones - Pat City 95-79

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Guatemala: Leones (#4) and Pat City (#6). Leones (5-3) smashed visiting Pat City (0-7) by 16 points 95-79. Leones dominated down low during the game scoring 78 of its points in the paint compared to Pat City's 38. They outrebounded Pat City 52-36 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by center Luke Garrison (-1997) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds and American guard Derek Morgan (188-2001, college: Union, KY) supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even 27 points and 5 rebounds by American point guard Myson Lowe (178-2001, college: Converse) did not help to save the game for Pat City. Anibal Sum added 22 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Leones moved-up to third place. Pat City at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Leones' supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena PSN.
Top scorers:
Leones: L.Garrison 35+15reb+2ast, D.Morgan 17+7reb+1ast, D.Goddard 14+7reb+1ast, M.Martinez 12+3reb+2ast, E.Garcia 8+4reb, D.Acosta 5+6reb
Pat City: M.Lowe 27+5reb+1ast, A.Sum 22+6reb+1ast, J.Torres 13+13reb, J.Smith 13+8reb+2ast, D.Avalos 2+2reb+1ast, A.Mendez 2+2reb+1ast

Solola - Forza 82-68

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Solola as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Solola defeated 5th ranked Forza at home 82-68. Solola dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Forza's 28. They outrebounded Forza 38-19 including a 26-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Taliik Ross (213, college: Keyano) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import guard Bryant Randleman (193-2000, college: JMU, agency: Interperformances) who added 23 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Solola players scored in double figures. Point guard Herlin Rodriguez (174-2001) responded with 34 points (!!!) and center Mario Reyes (-2001) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Solola have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with USAC. Forza lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with five games lost. Just two games before the end of Regular Season and it may be the most important game of the season next round when Forza faces strong USAC trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala - USAC. Solola will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Pat City in Guatemala.
Top scorers:
Solola: B.Randleman 23+6reb+3ast, T.Ross 17+12reb+3ast, C.Montufar 15+5reb, R.Juarez 12+10reb+1ast, J.Celada 9+4reb+2ast, P.Urizar 6+1reb
Forza: H.Rodriguez 34+2reb, M.Reyes 13+6reb+2ast, S.Tabata 6+5reb+2ast, H.Menzel 5, R.Oliva 3+3reb, M.Castillo 3+1reb

USAC - PSN 73-58

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Guatemala: USAC (#1) and PSN (#4). USAC (5-2) won against visiting PSN (4-3) 73-58. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of PSN. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The best player for the winners was forward Victor Sosa (190-1988) who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Point guard Marcelo Arriola (168-1998) chipped in 14 points. Four USAC players scored in double figures. Cesar Catalan (190-2007) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and Daniel Gonzalez added 14 points respectively for the guests. USAC maintains first position with 5-2 record, which they share with Solola. Loser PSN keeps the fourth place with three games lost. USAC's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.
Top scorers:
USAC: V.Sosa 22+8reb+1ast, M.Arriola 14+3reb+1ast, A.Juarez 11+3reb+1ast, V.Hernandez 10+4reb+1ast, R.Jerez 9+1reb+5ast, M.Aquino 4+4reb+1ast
PSN: B.Rodriguez 16+2reb, D.Gonzalez 14+2reb+2ast, C.Catalan 12+15reb+4ast, Y.Gomez 6+3reb+2ast, L.Bonilla 4+1reb, D.Che 2