BAHRAIN’S Manama barged into the final of the Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2019 Gulf Basketball Association Qualifiers last night following a resounding 107-93 victory over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai of the UAE at the Khalifa Sports City arena in Isa Town.
The Bahrainis were the more determined side from the opening tip and they used a huge third quarter to blow a close game wide open. They then did well to hold off a late surge in the fourth period from the Emiratis, who fought back to within 10 points after falling behind as many as 26.
Manama now take on the UAE’s Sharjah in the championship game today. Sharjah were comfortable 96-69 winners over Al Shamal of Qatar in yesterday’s other semi-final.
Shabab and Shamal face off for third place.
In Manama’s big win, the tournament hosts held a 28-24 lead at the end of the first quarter, which they stretched to 49-40. In the third, Manama more than doubled Shabab’s output, 32-15, to take a commanding 81-55 advantage into the final quarter, which was their largest lead of the game.
Shabab tried valiantly to fight back and gradually chip away at the lead, but their surge came too late.
Manama came up big when it mattered most, with five players finishing in double figures. American Terrico White was their leading scorer with 30. He also had nine rebounds and seven assists.
Polish big man Maciej Lampe contributed 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists; while Bahraini sharpshooter Hassan Nowrooz had 18 including four three-pointers.
Mohammed Ameer and Maytham Jameel came off the bench to contribute a combined 24 points.
Kevin Murphy poured in 43 points to pace Shabab, including five three-pointers. Fellow-American Chris Johnson added 24 and 18 rebounds.
Sharjah went ahead 30-15 after one period and never looked back. They enjoyed leads as high as 27 en route to claiming their spot in the final.
American Tyler Wilkerson scored a team-high 33 points while grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out five assists. He also had four steals and five blocks in a fine, all-around effort in the full 40 minutes.
Countryman Marvelle Harris had 28 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals. Skipper Jasim Abdalla contributed 16 markers in the win.
Mohamed Harat led Shamal with 29 points. He also took down 17 boards, while Jeffery Neberry II and Emir Mujkic scored 12 apiece.
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