News:

16/5/2008
LIB / KUW – Qadsia win hearts, Riyadi the game
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Hosts Al Qadsia bowed out of the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but only after entertaining the largest crowd this tournament has witnessed thus far. Qadsia lost their quarterfinal 80-91 to the formidability of Al Riyadi Beirut, but their fans would certainly have enjoyed the manner in which their side kept the more fancied rivals under pressure for most of the game.
Qadsia even managed to ‘win’ the last quarter 26-25, but against the advantages the 22-19, 20-19 and 24-16 advantages Riyadi had notched in the first three quarters, that effort of the hosts proved too little coming too late.

“Any game against the hosts brings that extra pressure,” Riyadi coach Fuad Abou Chakra said.
“These are the games when the team is tested for its temperament. How it can hold its own against the crowd pressure. Having an equal number of fans in the crowd only adds to the pressure.”
“I’m glad my team handled these pressures well,” Fuad said.
The experience of Fadi El Khatib and Ismael Ahmed stood Riyadi in good stead as the two not only controlled the forward movement of the ball, but also fell back – Ismael more often than not – to help the defense. Fadi top scored the game with 28 points, and collected four rebounds. And Ismael collected a staggering 12 rebounds to support his 24 points.
Riyadi, having been held almost close till the cross-over raced ahead in the opening moments of the third quarter with Omar Turk and Al Mahmoud adding speed to the moves by Fadi and Ismael. As a result, Riyadi built their first big lead of the game (66-54).
Qadsia, who had hitherto fought on even keel, suddenly felt their challenge fall apart as the inexperience of the side showed.
Alpha Bangura was as usual his solid self – scoring 24 points besides collecting nine rebounds. And with his colleagues struggling to cope with the pressure, the Sierra Leonean fought a losing battle.
Scores
Al Riyadi Beirut, Lebanon 91 (Fadi El Khatib 28, Ismael Ahmed 24, Omar Turk 17) bt Al Qadsia, Kuwait 80 (Alpha Bangura 24, Abdul Aziz Mohammad 15).
Quarter Scores: 22-19, 20-19, 24-16, 25-26.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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UAE / JOR – Wasl rally storms Zain
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): A 21-5 run in the final four minutes of the game helped Al Wasl power past Zain in the second quarterfinals of 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Friday. Wasl, who trailed 35-42 at half-time, went on to win 84-75.
Zain had the advantages 22-17 and 20-18 in the first two quarters, but the difference Wasl built the in the third (26-14) and fourth (27-15) proved decisive.
Leading 70-63 with about four minutes left in the game, having weathered Wasl’s initial rally, Zain coach Mazen Trakh opted for a time-out, considered as a move by the discerning at the Al Qadsia Sporting Club as suicidal.

For Wasl, who looked browbeaten going into the time out — with the way Zain bounced back – now began to play with a lot more self assurance.
Coach Abdul Hameed Ibrahim reinstated Courtney Fields, who had been pulled out facing foul trouble and the American import came good. Not that he had not played his part earlier in the game – his 22 points and eight rebounds adding value to his presence. But his return in the fourth quarter provided all that needed support Herve Lamizana had been looking for in rallying his team.
Lamizana scored as many points as Fields, but was a strong force in defense with a championship high of 17 rebounds – 12 in defense.
“I think I owe it to my players’ temperament,” Ibrahim said. “In such games, it’s always the team that shows more spirit that will win. My boys just did that today. They showed great character,” he said.
Zain began well, grew in confidence before making the error in judgment of calling for a time when the roll of the ball favored them.
Zaid Abbas and Boney Watson were at the best of their form in the championship and Hilam Fuller made himself useful, till was fouled out in the fourth quarter. Watson top scored the game with 25 points, along with six defensive rebounds, four steals and five assists. Abbas returned 20 points and 10 defensive rebounds. All their efforts failed to conquer Wasl’s fightback. Whether their own time out opened the gateway is something they will ponder about well into the night!
Scores
Al Wasl, UAE 84 (Herve Lamizana 22, Courtney Fields 22, Ayoub Albaloushi 13) bt Zain, Jordan 75 (Boney Watson 25, Zaid Abbas 20, Hilam Fuller 15).
Quarter Scores: 17-22, 35-42, 59-58.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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IRI / KAZ – Saba roll past Almaty
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Defending champions Saba Battery rolled past BK Almaty with an 88-77 win on Friday, to complete the semifinal line-up of the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
But coach Mehran Shahintab said “we need to improve more on our offensive plays to take our game to the next level.”
“A win is a win, especially in the quarterfinals. I think the players were aware of the knockout situation and played well within themselves, but we can do with a lot more improvement,” Shahintab said.

Nigerian import Enyinn Mounike led the Saba charge from the front with a game-high performance, scoring 26 points. Support came in the form of Samad Nikkah’s splendid all-court play. Samad finished 24 points, including four 3-pointers.
“It wasn’t as easy as some people might want to think. They played real tough,” Shahintab said of Almaty.
“But my team is aware that they have to improve. That will keep us rolling,” he said.
Scores
Saba Battery, Iran 88 (Enyinn Mounike 26, Samad Nikkah 24, Hamed Ehadadi 17) bt BK Almaty, Kazakhstan 77 (Vsevolod Fadeikin 25, Mikhail Yevstigneyev 24).
Quarter Scores: 25-14, 39-35, 66-60.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

Having striven with an inconsistent form, guard Saad Ali and center Darlon Johnson chose the big moment of the quarterfinals against the league champions of another GCC nation to strike form.
Johnson sunk 21 points, including three 3-pointers as Saad moved well in tandem with Eric Chatfield in controlling the game, besides returning 18 points. Yasseen Musa was his composed leader self, his 14 points adding value to his influential presence on the court.
“I think we are well on course for the championship,” beamed Rayyan coach Brian Lester.
“I think with each game, we have improved remarkably. And today’s win was another important step in that direction,” the Australian said.
“Saad had a very good comeback and DJ had another improved showing. Most importantly, I was particularly happy with the way the defense worked together,” he said.
Mohammed Alderazi was the most conspicuous player on the Muharraq front. The 28-year-old – along with American import Rahshun Roberts – top scored the game at 24 points, but against the well-coordinated defense of Rayyan Alderazi would have liked to be more consistent. Same was the case with Roberts. Donald Little, the other import, worked hard, but was boxed out by the rival defense time and again.
Scores
Al Rayyan, Qatar 95 (Darlon Johnson 21, Saad Ali 18, Yasseen Musa 14, Eric Chatfield 13, Omar Salem 13) bt Al Muharraq, Bahrain 78 ( Rahshun Roberts 24, Mohammed Alderazi 24, Donald Little 12).
Quarter Scores: 23-17, 43-29, 69-51.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia

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