Manama drawn in tough group for FIBA Intercontinental Cup

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com     

Bahrain’s Manama Club have been drawn in a tough Group B for the 33rd FIBA Intercontinental Cup, which takes place September 21 to 24 in Singapore.

Manama are taking part in the prestigious competition, which is also known as the FIBA Club World Cup, as first-ever champions of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL).

They will be facing off in the preliminary round with Champions League winners Telekom Baskets Bonn from Germany and Chinese Basketball Association representatives Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

Group A features Basketball Champions League Americas winners Sesi Franca from Brazil, Basketball Africa League champions Al Ahly from Egypt and the NBA G League Ignite.

The draw was held yesterday in Singapore by FIBA.

Manama’s participation marks the debut of a Bahraini in the tournament, which is for professional basketball clubs.

Each team will play two games in this group stage, with those fixtures taking place between September 21 and 23.

After this phase, a last day of competition will be held on September 24, with the top teams from their respective groups squaring off in the final.

There will also be a game for third place between the teams that were runners-up in the groups, while the teams that were ranked third will battle to determine fifth place on the event’s final ranking.

Manama captured the gold medals in the inaugural edition of the FIBA WASL after defeating Kuwait SC 67-59 in the final of the FIBA WASL Final Eight, which was held in Dubai.