Defending champions Manama defeated Al Ahli 68-63 in the first final match of Bahrain Zain Super Cup Championship held last night at the Bahrain Basketball Association Sports Hall in Um Al Hassam.
The quarters scores were as follows: 15-15, 18-17 (Manama), 19-15 (Al Ahli), 20-12 (Manama). The referees of the game were Younis Janahi, Abdulredha Abdulhussain and Emad Abbas.
Manama’s best scorers were Nigerian Ndudi Ebi, who scored 17 points, Mohammed Hussain, who finished with 14 points and Maytham Jameel who had 11 points.
Al Ahli’s best scorers were Hussain Shaker, who scored 30 points, along with American Lorn Woods and Subah Hussain who who scored 14 and 10, respectively.
Manama are just one victory away from claiming their first title of the new season 2016-2017, while Al Ahli need to win the second final which is scheduled for 24 September. The third final match is set for 27 September.
Both teams committed many fouls and passing mistakes with some turnovers.
The first quarter was tied at 15-all.
In the second quarter, both teams tried to get through each other’s defense, with some three-point shots by both teams’ star players such as Al Ahli’s Hussain Shaker who was the star of the match, as well as Ahmed Abdulaziz and Mohammed Hussain of Manama.
Lead
With Al Ahli ahead at 32-30, Manama’s Maytham Jameel hit a three pointer in the last second to give his team the lead 33-32 by the end of second quarter.
Al Ahli came back very well in the third quarter with Hussain Shaker hitting three pointers and fine lay-ups to give his team a 51-48 at the end of the third quarter.
Manama showed their experience in the last few minutes with Ahmed Abdulaziz and Maytham Jameel along with Mohammed Hussain scoring crucial baskets on the way to victory.
Attending the match were the incoming new Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) president and Prime Minister’s grandson Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Olympic Committee General Secretary Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, current BBA president Adel Al Assomi and other officials.