Liga Metropolitana Round 8 (Regular Season): Halcones hand first defeat to USAC

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

USAC (6-1) recorded its first loss in Guatemala on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Halcones (5-2) 97-80. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of USAC. The best player for the winners was point guard David Monterroso (180-1979) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. Salgado Salgado chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Dilan Castillo (-2003) produced 21 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Halcones moved-up to third place. USAC at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Halcones are looking forward to face Yolo's (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. USAC's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Guatemala. Second ranked Coyotes faced 3rd ranked Forza. Guests from (7-1) defeated host Forza (5-3) 88-72. American guard Cory Kaplan (198, college: Ks Wesleyan, agency: Fully Feared Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Malik Lacewell contributed with 28 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. point guard Anthony Guerra (178-1997) replied with 30 points and 5 rebounds for Forza. Coyotes have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Forza at the other side dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. Coyotes will play against bottom-ranked PIBA (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Forza's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala USAC.
Bottom-ranked PIBA (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 121-76 loss to sixth ranked Pat City (4-3) in Guatemala on Wednesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Anfernee Munnings who helped to win the game recording 73 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. Jose Perez responded with 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Pat City moved-up to fifth place, which they share with New Legends. Loser PIBA still closes the standings with eight games lost. Pat City will meet at home New Legends (#5) in the next round. PIBA will play against the league's leader Coyotes (#1) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 8 Yolo's were crushed by PSN in Guatemala 121-33. Crossover was beaten by New Legends at home 93-99.
The best stats of 8th round was 32 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by Luke Dove of Crossover.



Forza - Coyotes 72-88

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Guatemala. Second ranked Coyotes faced 3rd ranked Forza. Guests from (7-1) defeated host Forza (5-3) 88-72. Coyotes dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Forza's 26. Coyotes forced 20 Forza turnovers. American guard Cory Kaplan (198, college: Ks Wesleyan, agency: Fully Feared Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The other American import guard Malik Lacewell (190-2001, college: Allen, agency: Highlight Athletes) contributed with 28 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Lacewell is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Coyotes players scored in double figures. point guard Anthony Guerra (178-1997) replied with 30 points and 5 rebounds and Hector Coronado added 23 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Forza. Coyotes have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Forza at the other side dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. Coyotes will play against bottom-ranked PIBA (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Forza's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Guatemala USAC.
Top scorers:
Forza: G.Anthony 30+5reb, C.Hector 23+8reb, T.Sebastian 14+10reb+1ast, C.Mynor 3+9reb+1ast, M.Felipe 2+3reb, P.Geraldo 0
Coyotes: K.Cory 29+12reb+5ast, L.Malik 28+7reb+3ast, D.Dunnally 13+13reb+2ast, B.Ferrer 10+5reb+2ast, C.Quan 7+7reb+3ast, H.Mejia 1+4reb+2ast

Halcones - USAC 97-80

USAC (6-1) recorded its first loss in Guatemala on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by fourth ranked Halcones (5-2) 97-80. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of USAC. The best player for the winners was point guard David Monterroso (180-1979) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. Salgado Salgado chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Dilan Castillo (-2003) produced 21 points and 5 rebounds and Hesed Ovalle added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Halcones moved-up to third place. USAC at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Halcones are looking forward to face Yolo's (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. USAC's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Guatemala to the arena Forza.
Top scorers:
USAC: C.Dilan 21+5reb, O.Hesed 16+5reb+3ast, R.Isaias 15+6reb+2ast, E.Kleberson 13+3reb+2ast, J.Alex 6+6reb+1ast, O.Adrian 5+1ast
Halcones: D.Monterroso 27+10reb+1ast, M.Reyes 17+7reb+1ast, S.Salgado 17+7reb+2ast, R.Renato 14+6reb+3ast, R.Lopez 6+4reb+3ast, P.Gonzalez 0+2ast

Pat City - PIBA 121-76

Bottom-ranked PIBA (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 121-76 loss to sixth ranked Pat City (4-3) in Guatemala on Wednesday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 102 of its points in the paint compared to PIBA's 22. They outrebounded PIBA 55-24 including a 16-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Anfernee Munnings (187-1997, college: St.Petersburg) who helped to win the game recording 73 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds and Jose Maltez (-2001) who added 18 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Jose Perez responded with 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and Jose Alvarez scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Pat City moved-up to fifth place, which they share with New Legends. Loser PIBA still closes the standings with eight games lost. Pat City will meet at home New Legends (#5) in the next round. PIBA will play against the league's leader Coyotes (#1) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
PIBA: P.Jose 36+8reb+2ast, A.Jose 15+6reb+2ast, B.Jaber 11+5reb+3ast, T.Bryan 9+4reb+1ast, G.Nicolas 5+1reb+2ast,
Pat City: M.Anfernee 73+16reb+3ast, J.Maltez 18+6reb+2ast, D.Avalos 13+7reb+3ast, L.Garcia 6+11reb+4ast, M.Maldonado 4+9reb+1ast, A.Mendez 3+1reb

PSN - Yolo's 121-33

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Yolo's' (1-6) road loss to eighth ranked PSN (2-4) 33-121 on Wednesday. PSN dominated down low during the game scoring 102 of its points in the paint compared to Yolo's' 26. PSN forced 38 Yolo's turnovers and outrebounded them 47-25 including a 22-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. PSN looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 3 passes made by Yolo's' players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Michael Alvarez (186-2008) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 7 rebounds and Samuel Estrada who added 17 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. PSN's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Luis Menendez (179-1995) responded with 19 points and 5 rebounds and Adolfo Ortega produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. PSN moved-up to seventh place. Loser Yolo's keep the ninth position with six games lost. PSN will meet at home Crossover (#8) in the next round. Yolo's will play against Halcones in Guatemala and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Yolo's: M.Luis 19+5reb+1ast, O.Adolfo 10+10reb, R.Estuardo 2+2reb, L.Carlos 2+1reb+1ast, C.Enrique 0, C.Irving 0+2reb+1ast
PSN: M.Alvarez 20+7reb+1ast, S.Estrada 17+10reb, J.Fernandez 16+1ast, A.Linares 14+3reb, D.Gonzalez 12+2reb, C.Catalan 12+6reb+3ast

Crossover - New Legends 93-99

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked New Legends' (4-3) road victory over 7th ranked Crossover (2-5) 99-93 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kedrick Frink (190, college: Salisbury, agency: Fully Feared Sports) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and the other American import guard Quincy McGriff (198, college: AAMU) who added 22 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Luke Dove responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and American swingman Eddie Jr Weems (196-1997, college: Carroll, WI) scored 28 points. Five New Legends and four Crossover players scored in double figures. New Legends moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Pat City. Loser Crossover dropped to the eighth position with five games lost. New Legends will meet Pat City (#6) in the next round. Crossover will play against PSN in Guatemala and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Crossover: D.Luke 32+12reb+4ast, W.Eddie Jr 28+3reb, P.Eliot 14+6reb+1ast, M.Daniel 10+5reb+4ast, G.Javier 5+3reb, G.Edson 4+8reb
New Legends: F.Kedrick 24+4reb+3ast, Q.McGriff 22+5reb+2ast, B.Spencer 17+1reb, D.Douglas 15+2reb+2ast, D.Goddard 13+4reb+8ast, F.Gomez 4+7reb