Manama win over Chennai Heats by default

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain’s Manama Club won their game yesterday against Chennai Heats from India by default in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Final Eight, being held in Dubai.

The Indian outfit is no longer taking part in the tournament, the FIBA Regional Office has confirmed.

It stated: “The recent challenges being faced by the basketball family in India has affected the Indian National Basketball League (INBL) champions’ participation in the inaugural meet. Still, the remaining games of the Final Eight will take place as scheduled.”

Manama now have one win in the competition to go with their opening game loss against Al Riyadi of Lebanon 84-112 in Group A.

The Bahrainis fell behind by as many as 29 points in the contest.

They are now scheduled to play their last fixture of this stage tomorrow against Beirut Club of Lebanon, slated for a 6pm start, Bahrain time.

Group B in the WASL Final Eight features Kuwait SC of Kuwait, Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE, Shahrdary Gorgan from Iran and BC Astana from Kazakhstan.

Following a single round-robin, the top two teams from each group move on to the knockout semi-finals on Friday, while the gold and bronze medal games are to be held Saturday evening.

In this maiden edition of the competition, the WASL Final Eight also acts as a qualifier for FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2023, on the road to FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2023, FIBA’s highest club competition.