Manama are back-to-back champs!
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Manama were last night crowned champions of the 2022/2023 Zain Bahrain Basketball League, capping a remarkable season that saw them claim three major trophies.
The league’s defending champions successfully retained their league crown after outclassing bitter rivals Muharraq 101-83 in game three of their best-of-five championship series, played at a packed Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
The win completed a clean, three-game sweep for Manama, after also winning the first two contests. Bahrain Olympic Committee vice-president His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa presented the trophies in an awarding ceremony held after the game.
Also on hand were Bahrain Basketball Association president Captain Waleed Al Alawi and officials from both Manama and Muharraq. The result earned the victors their third title of this campaign, adding to their silverware as champions of the Khalifa bin Salman Cup and the FIBA West Asia Super League.
Manama also claimed their 24th Bahrain league crown, extending their record run in the Kingdom. Muharraq were gunning for their fourth championship, but their bid was thwarted by their rivals. American professional Travin Thibodeaux led five Manama players in double figures with 29 points, including four three-pointers, and eight rebounds last night.
Sir’Dominic Pointer added 19 markers, while Mustafa Hussain chipped in with 15. Ali Hussain contributed 11 in the win, while Hasan Nowrooz scored 10. For Muharraq, Shabazz Muhammad and Dewayne Jackson were the only players to score over 10 markers.
Muhammad had 27 while Jackson scored 21. Ali Jaffar had eight in the loss while skipper Bader Abdulla Malabes and Baqer Isa had seven apiece. Manama started off as aggressors yesterday and took a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Muharraq tried to battle back but still faced an eight-point deficit, 42-50, at the half. Manama continued to stay in control in the third and extended their advantage to 73-62 heading into the final quarter, where they enjoyed their biggest lead of 24.
They opened the concluding period with a 7-0 run, and they never looked back en route to the final whistle. The closing minutes were a casual affair between both sides, with the game virtually decided.
Earlier this season, Manama had claimed the Khalifa bin Salman Cup also against Muharraq, winning the one-off final 75-72. They then added to that triumph with the historic first-ever title in the FIBA WASL, defeating Kuwait SC 67-59 in the final of the FIBA WASL Final Eight, held in Dubai.
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