MUHARRAQ and Manama claimed contrasting victories last night in their final games of the opening round of the 38th GCC Clubs Basketball Championship in Muscat.
Muharraq were dominant in a 100-68 win over Al Arabi of Qatar while Manama came alive in the second-half to narrowly beat Al Rayyan, also of Qatar, 98-93.
This tournament is also being held as the FIBA Asia Champions Cup GBA Qualifiers.
Following yesterday’s results, the Bahraini squads move on to the quarter-finals where Muharraq take on Nizwa of Oman while Manama face Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in a pair of knockout fixtures scheduled for today at 1pm, Bahrain time, and 5pm respectively.
Muharraq’s professional players Demarius Bolds from the US and Sudanese-born Australian-Lebanese Ater Majok combined for 41 points. Bolds finished 21 points and also had an impressive six assists while Majok scored 20 points and effected 12 rebounds.
Muharraq also got 16 points from Mohammed Buallay and 13 from talented youngster Mohammed Juma’a, who also had six rebounds and two blocks.
Solid
Muharraq held a solid 21-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, which they extended to a commanding 50-33 at the break. They stayed in control after the restart, making it 77-55 after three quarters, before cruising in the final canto when they outscored their rivals 23-12.
It was Muharraq’s second win in as many games in the three-team Group ‘A’. They finished in first place with an unscathed record, followed by Arabi and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, who lost both their group games.
Meanwhile Manama shrugged off a poor second quarter before taking control of the contest in the third and holding on for a hard-earned triumph.
They led 22-17 after the first quarter but then gave up 34 points to Rayyan in the second, which led to a 45-51 deficit at half-time.
Manama managed to regain their form in the third with 28 points and then held on restricting their opponents to just 18 points.
Americans Terrell Stoglin and Loren Woods were once again instrumental in Manama’s win. Stoglin top scored with 29 points, including five three-pointers, six rebounds and five assists.
Bahraini guard Mohammed Hussain added another 14 points as their only other other player in double-figure.
Manama finished second in Group ‘B’ with a 2-1 win-loss record. They were ranked behind winners Sharjah of the UAE, and ahead of Rayyan and Nizwa.
&uuid=(email))