Ahli triumph in Arab basketball opener

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Al Ahli got off to a winning start last night in the 34th Arab Clubs Basketball Championship following an impressive 69-60 victory over Al Sadd of Qatar.

The Bahrainis are in Group C for the preliminary round of the competition, which is being held in Kuwait City.

Ahli used a scintillating fourth quarter where they outscored Sadd 22-9 to turn a 47-51 deficit to their nine-point triumph.

The final winning margin was also their biggest lead of the contest. Ahli took control of the game with a resounding 13-2 run to begin the final canto and they never looked back.

Neckolas David top scored for the Bahrainis with 19 points. He also had nine rebounds and four steals.

Star forward Mohammed Kowayed added 17, while Maitham Jameel had 14 points.

For Sadd, Ivosev Tomislav was their leading scorer with 19 points, while Babacar Dieng had 16 in the losing effort.

The Bahrainis return to the hardwood today when they face off with Kazma from Kuwait.

They then compete their preliminaries against Al Bashaer from Oman on Saturday.

Sixteen teams from across the region are locking horns in the tournament, with three clubs representing host nation Kuwait.

Ahli are the only Bahraini outfit in the competition. Group A features host team Al Kuwait Sports Club, Al Ittihad of Alexandria from Egypt, Ahli Aleppo of Syria, and Al Ahly Benghazi from Libya.

Group B is comprised of defending champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Al Riyadi Club Beirut of Lebanon, Al Gharafa from Qatar, and a club from Yemen; while Group D consists of Jahra from Kuwait, Beirut Club of Lebanon, Wedad Boufarik of Algeria, and Tigris from Iraq.