Manama overcame a gallant stand by Muharraq 98-88 to book a return trip to the Fiba WASL-Gulf League Final last night at the Khalifa Sport City in Isa Town.
Mohammed Ameer and Ali Rashed came through with clutch plays, before Sir’Dominic Pointer sealed the deal through trips to the foul line as the troika saved their side after seeing the opposition climb back from 17 down and get to within two, 90-88, with 1:59 left in the game.
Following another solid display of resolve, the reigning Fiba WASL champions now have another shot at the sub-zone league title after falling short in the inaugural season.
They face either defending Gulf League titlists Kuwait Club or Kazma in the Big Dance. Kuwait Club currently lead the all-Kuwaiti semis affair, 1-0, and could forge the final rematch in Game 2 tonight at the Shaikh Saad Bin Maktoum Sport Hall in Kuwait City.
Pointer led Manama with 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and five steals for an efficiency of 33, eventually earning the Player of the Game honours.
Rashed finished with 22 points, nailing four of the team’s 10 triples, and six assists. Devin Ebanks produced a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, together with three assists.
Travin Thibodeaux supplied 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ameer had 11 points as well alongside six boards while Ahmed Haji chipped in 10 points, spiked by a pair of treys, as a total of six players finished in double figures in the character-testing victory.
Manama already held an 87-75 lead approaching the game’s last six minutes until Muharraq came back roaring behind winger Ricky Ledo, who calmly made both of his free throws to pull themselves to within just a field goal.
But then, Manama’s poise came to play. Ameer scored off an underbasket stab with 1:36 to go, and then came up with a crucial offensive board that eventually led to Rashed sinking a runner to give their side more breathing room, 94-88, heading into the final minute.
Muharraq had no more rallies left in them, and could only resort to the fouling game to freeze the clock. But that did not work as Pointer perfected his two trips to the charity stripe to secure the victory. Manama finished the game with an 8-0 run.
Manama coach Linos Gavriel said: “I want to congratulate my players and the whole organisation for being in the finals again. It’s an achievement we don’t take for granted just because of last year’s success. We’re proud of our hard work to reach the finals.”
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