Manama Masters 3x3 basketball gets underway

TDT | Manama                                                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain representatives Manama booked their place in the women’s semi-finals yesterday on the opening day of the Manama Masters, part of this year’s FIBA 3x3 World Tour. The prestigious basketball event is taking place in the Kingdom for the first time ever at a specially constructed venue at Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH).

The Manama women’s squad, represented by Hessa Al Jaber, Marian Samir, and professional players Julia Jorritsma and Loyce Bettonvil, first outclassed Manila 22-1 in their opening contest, and then secured their place in the final four with a 21-8 triumph over Kuwait City. Manama marched through to the next stage and will next take on Riyadh in the semis today.

Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Riffa men’s team suffered a narrow 15-21 defeat to Amsterdam HiPRO last night in their opening game in men’s Pool D of the competition’s preliminary round. Riffa were composed of Bahrain’s very own Mustafa Hussain, Nemanja Draskovic, Milan Skundric and Anze Srebvot.

They did well to match their opponents point for point and forged a 13-all tie on a Srebvot basket. But Amsterdam went on a game-changing 5-0 run to take control of the contest and steal the win. Hussain had six points to lead Riffa while Srebvot added four, Skundric three and Draskovic two points.

Worthy de Jong was the leading scorer for Amsterdam with 10 points, while Norberth Thelissen chipped in with six. In other men’s games on day one, Hangzhou beat Ub Huishan 22-17 and then Futian narrowly defeated Ub Huishan NE 18-17 in Pool A; Marijampole Mantinga overcame Vienna 21-13 and Vienna defeated San Juan 21-16 in Pool B; and Antwerp TOPdesk beat Jeddah 22-9 in Pool C.

Action continues today at the same venue from 12.25pm, with the quarter-finals also set to take place leading up to the final scheduled for a 7.20pm start. The Manama Masters marks Bahrain’s first-ever appearance on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour, and it is taking place under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority president and Bahrain Olympic Committee chief His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.