Liga Metropolitana Round 9 (Regular Season): PSN edge Leones by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the Liga Metropolitana took place in Guatemala. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Leones (5-4) to fourth ranked PSN (5-4) 79-78 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Leones. PSN dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 36. PSN forced 20 Leones turnovers and outrebounded them 50-38 including 22 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was Cesar Catalan (190-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 25 rebounds and 4 assists. Yiancarlo Gomez chipped in 15 points. PSN's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Derek Morgan (188-2001, college: Union, KY) who recorded 21 points and 7 rebounds. PSN moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Leones. PSN is looking forward to face league's second-placed Solola on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leones' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena USAC.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Guatemala: USAC (#2) and Forza (#5). Forza was defeated at home 64-78 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a good game for point guard Marcelo Arriola (168-1998) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Victor Sosa contributed with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Center Mario Reyes (-2001) answered with 22 points for Forza. USAC (7-2) keeps a position of league leader. Forza lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with six games lost. USAC's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala Leones.
Bottom-ranked Pat City (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 89-79 loss to second ranked Solola (6-2) in Guatemala on Monday evening. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Taliik Ross stepped up with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds for the winners. Solola's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Dariel Medina with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Solola have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-2 record behind leader USAC. Pat City at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Solola will meet at home PSN (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Pat City's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.




PSN - Leones 79-78

The most exciting game of round 9 in the Liga Metropolitana took place in Guatemala. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Leones (5-4) to fourth ranked PSN (5-4) 79-78 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Leones. PSN dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 36. PSN forced 20 Leones turnovers and outrebounded them 50-38 including 22 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was Cesar Catalan (190-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 25 rebounds and 4 assists. Yiancarlo Gomez chipped in 15 points. Four PSN players scored in double figures. PSN's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Derek Morgan (188-2001, college: Union, KY) who recorded 21 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized American guard David Goddard (185-1989) added 16 points and 9 rebounds respectively. PSN moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Leones. PSN is looking forward to face league's second-placed Solola on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leones' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena USAC.
Top scorers:
Leones: D.Morgan 21+7reb+1ast, D.Goddard 16+9reb+3ast, D.Acosta 12+6reb, P.Reyes 9+2reb+3ast, M.Martinez 9+3reb+1ast, D.Reyes 6+2reb+2ast
PSN: C.Catalan 18+25reb+4ast, Y.Gomez 15+4reb+2ast, P.Armas 14+5reb, I.Fernandez 12+5reb+3ast, A.Arroyo 9+3reb+2ast, B.Rodriguez 6+1reb

Pat City - Solola 79-89

Bottom-ranked Pat City (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 89-79 loss to second ranked Solola (6-2) in Guatemala on Monday evening. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. Solola dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Pat City's 38. They outrebounded Pat City 47-29 including 17 on the offensive glass. American center Taliik Ross (213, college: Keyano) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds for the winners and Cristopher Montufar chipped in 21 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Solola players scored in double figures. Solola's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American point guard Dariel Medina (183-1997, college: DelVal) with 32 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import point guard Myson Lowe (178-2001, college: Converse) scored 35 points (!!!). Solola have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 6-2 record behind leader USAC. Pat City at the other side still closes the standings with eight games lost. Solola will meet at home PSN (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Pat City's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.
Top scorers:
Pat City: M.Lowe 35+4reb, D.Medina 32+9reb+1ast, R.Campos 11+9reb+1ast, J.Smith 1+6reb+1ast, D.Avalos 0, A.Mendez 0
Solola: T.Ross 38+15reb+1ast, C.Montufar 21+4reb, B.Randleman 13+7reb+2ast, R.Juarez 10+11reb+2ast, H.Celada 4, R.Sahon 2+3reb

Forza - USAC 64-78

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Guatemala: USAC (#2) and Forza (#5). Forza was defeated at home 64-78 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a good game for point guard Marcelo Arriola (168-1998) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Forward Victor Sosa (190-1988) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Five USAC players scored in double figures. Center Mario Reyes (-2001) answered with 22 points and Sebastian Tabata added 10 points and 14 rebounds in the effort for Forza. USAC (7-2) keeps a position of league leader. Forza lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with six games lost. USAC's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala Leones.
Top scorers:
Forza: M.Reyes 22+3reb+1ast, H.Rodriguez 17+5reb+1ast, S.Tabata 10+14reb+1ast, D.Monterroso 6+3reb+4ast, R.Oliva 5+1ast, H.Menzel 2+4reb
USAC: M.Arriola 20+6reb+3ast, V.Hernandez 18+5reb+1ast, A.Juarez 15+3reb, V.Sosa 14+10reb+1ast, D.Villagran 11+6reb+2ast, R.Jerez 0+2reb