Muharraq bow out of Arab clubs basketball

TDT | Manama    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Muharraq were yesterday eliminated from the 35th Arab Clubs Basketball Championship in Doha following a 95-108 loss to AS Sale of Morocco in the quarter-finals.

The Bahraini representatives trailed for a majority of the game and tried valiantly to stay in the fight, but their opponents were too good on the day.

Sale now move on to the final four, where will face off with the winner of the all-Egyptian quarter-final clash between Al Ahly and Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The semis are scheduled to be held tomorrow, to be followed by the gold and bronze medal games on Thursday.

Today is a rest day. Muharrraq trailed 21-22 at the end of the first period yesterday as American professional Julius Coles Jr was able to bury a baseline three-pointer right before the quarter buzzer.

The Bahrainis then went briefly ahead in the second before Sale fought back and built a double-digit lead, 48-37.

Muharraq faced a 41-53 deficit at the half. Muharraq tried to get back into contention but Sale extended their advantage, going ahead 80-66 heading into the final canto.

Coles was able to reduce the gap to 14 prior to the end of the third with a long triple to beat the clock. In the fourth, Sale closed things out to end Muharraq’s hopes of being the first Bahraini club to win the tournament crown.

With yesterday ’s result, Muharraq’s three-game winning streak in the competition was snapped.

They had opened their campaign with a loss to defending champions Kuwait Sports Club, but they then had back-to-back wins against Bureij Services of Palestine and Qatar Sports Club to complete the preliminary stage.

Muharraq then defeated Dynamo from Lebanon in the round of 16, setting up their match-up against Sale.

The tournament is being held under the auspices of the Arab Basketball Confederation.