Manama advance to Cup final

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Manama punched their tickets to the Khalifa bin Salman Cup final last night with a resounding 97-83 victory over Muharraq in game three of their Golden Square series. The victors used a 16-6 run to begin the fourth and final period to build a commanding double-digit lead and power on to the win. The result gave Manama the 2-1 decision in their best-ofthree semi-final clash.

Manama now move on to face back-to-back Cup holders Al Ahli, who enjoyed a two-game sweep of Nuwaidrat in the other Golden Square semi-final series. The final has yet to be scheduled by the Bahrain Basketball Association. Both Manama and Ahli are meeting in the Khalifa bin Salman Cup final for the third successive year, with Ahli winning both previous times.

Ahli are hoping to secure an unprecedented “three-peat” while Manama will be looking to end their two straight losses in the tournament’s title game. In last night’s game three, Manama led by as many as 17 points in the final canto. It was a tight, see-saw affair throughout until the victors took command in the fourth. Manama held a 26-20 advantage at the end of the first quarter, but Muharraq were able to edge ahead 45-44 at the half.

In the third, Manama appeared to make a decisive rally and went up by eight, 63-55, on a Mohammed Hussain threepoint play, but Muharraq answered with an 8-0 run and tied it once more. An Ahmed Salman triple to end the quarter gave Manama a 67-63 advantage after the third, and that set the stage for their big fourth quarter when they sealed the final result. Another Salman basket from beyond the arc gave them their 17-point cushion, 95-78, with less than a minute remaining.

American professional Davion Berry and Bahraini guard Hassan Nowrooz combined for 47 of Manama’s total output. Berry had 26 including five three-pointers, while Nowrooz scored 21 with four long-range makes. Salman chipped in with 16, also with four triples, while Mohammed Ameer added 15 to go with nine rebounds. Manama’s other import, Devin Ebanks, had just nine points but took down 11 boards.

For Muharraq, Dewayne Jackson had another fine effort of 40 points including six three-pointers while Sammy Monroe added 21. They received little help from elsewhere as they were Muharraq’s only players in double figures.

With the completion of the Khalifa bin Salman Cup’s final four, the national basketball season now shifts its focus to the Zain Bahrain Basketball League’s Golden Square semi-finals, which tip off on Thursday. Manama will face off with Al Hala while Ahli take on Muharraq in both best-of-three series’ opening games.