Manama in Khalifa bin Salman Cup semis

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Manama advanced last night to the semi-finals of the 2022/2023 Khalifa bin Salman Cup. Manama booked their berth following an 86-63 victory over a battling Bahrain Club at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.

With the result, the defending league champions set up a mouth-watering clash in the final four with Khalifa bin Salman Cup holders Al Ahli. The other semis fixture is between Muharraq and Sitra. Both contests in the last four have yet to be scheduled by the Bahrain Basketball Association.

Manama had a slim 21-19 edge at the end of the first quarter yesterday but then Bahrain Club outscored their opponents 23-13 in the second to take a 42-34 lead at the half. Manama then turned things up in the third period, where they dominated Bahrain Club 26-12, to wrest away the advantage and go up 60-54 heading into the final canto.

There, they asserted themselves and enjoyed their biggest lead of 24 points, 82-58, following an Ahmed Nafaj lay-up with just under four minutes to go in regulation. American professional Travin Thibodeaux top scored for Manama with 17 points while taking down 14 rebounds.

Mohammed Ameer added 15, while Ali Hussain and Najaf both came off the bench to contribute 14 and 12 points, respectively. For Bahrain Club, Ali Asghar and Jawad Abdulla had 15 points apiece to spearhead their team. Asghar also grabbed 13 boards in the loss. Ali Abbas chipped in with 12.

This year’s Khalifa bin Salman Cup is the seventh edition of the prestigious annual basketball tournament, which is held in honour of the late His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The competition was launched in the 2016/2017 season, and Muharraq were the first winners.

Manama then claimed the trophy in 2018, and then Riffa took the crown the following year. Ahli have then won the title every year since. They will be looking to add to their triumphs in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with a historic “four-peat” this season. Ahli won last year’s final after defeating Manama 84-76.