Independiente slipped up again this weekend but still manage to hold on to 1stplace. Los negriazules (The black and blues)were thumped 3-0 by Manta giving Liga, Emelec and Barcelona the chance to catch Spencer Dinwiddie Jersey up.The Guayquil clubs siezed their chanceby claiming the full 3 points but Liga de Quito drew again in the Casa Blanca leaving them 1 point behind.For many the Independiente result is a sign that the young team is feeling the pace and pre sure. With the league moving into the final stages experience may be the most important factor for the champions.Hopefully Independiente will keep their unlikely dream alive and use the Manta defeat as a wake up call for the remainder of the season.Photo courtesy of FutbolEcuadorDeportivo Quito do not have problems to seek after last Thursdays disaster in Santiago. The Copa Libertadores humbling was seemingly too much to take for the clubs directors so they dually fired their Argentinian coach, Carlos Ischia. The former Boca Juniors manager has not set the heather alight since his appointment last year and the Ecuadorian champions currently lag behind in 7thplace. This together with Ischias recent criticisms of the board led his premature departure despite their being a Quito derby with El Nacional today.League standings 15/05/2012# Team MP GD P1 Independiente 15 +6 262 LDU Quito 15 +12 253 Emelec 14 +11 254 Barcelona 15 +11 255 LDU Loja 14 +2 236 Dep Cuenca 15 -4 237 Dep Quito 14 +7 188 Manta 15 -1 179 Macar 15 -4 1710 El Nacional 14 -9 1611 Universitario 15 -9 1212 Olmedo 15 -22 8This weeks results have created a split within the league with Independiente, Liga, Barcelona, Emelec Loja and Deportivo Cuenca moving away from the rest.However with only 3 points between 1stand 6ththe championship is still wide open. Chris Chiozza Jersey