Lebanese set up title clash vs. Jeddah United in Orient Watch Cup
JEDDAH: The stage is set for the finals with Lebanese Community Basketball Team getting a shot at redemption against Jeddah United in the 2nd Orient Watch Cup and 13th Filsama Basketball League at the Rawdah court on Madinah Road here.
Needing to win the knockout game against Egypt team by four points or more after they split their two games in the eliminations, the Lebanese did just that as they won 74-67 in a thrilling game that fittingly looked like playoff basketball between two of city’s formidable teams.
The Lebanese now play waiting finalist Jeddah United in a two-game series for the centerpiece Open Rated Division championship where the former will be out to avenge their two elimination round losses from the young squad.
Alim practically ran rings around the Egypt defenders with strong outside and inside game as he led Lebanese with 38 points including five from the threepoint area.
Qubashi, showing great ball-handling skills, added 10 points, while Qadar, Al-Hammed and Daher each made six points to go with five points from point guard Ahmad Keir.
Egypt had been handicapped by the absence of three of its key players due to suspensions and yet it more than held its own against the enemy in the first quarter.
The Egyptians struggled against the Lebanese defense, finding themselves unable to buy easy baskets.
Long-range shooting specialist Fawzi top-scored for Egypt with 14 points followed by Ayman with 13 points.
Zain had 10 points for Egypt, while Abdul Majid added 9 and Fadi Al-Taweel 6 points.
Meantime, it will be BMG Libutan against Toyota Aljuf for the Non-Rated Division championship.
BMG and Aljuf sealed their title clash by winning their knockout semifinals against SMDC and Silent Assassins respectively.
BMG took advantage of the shorthanded SMDC squad which had the veteran Diego Domalogdog scoring 40 big points to no avail. BMG’s 1-2 punch Nanding Unas and Ali tallied 35 and 23 points respectively.
Jimmy Abdullah Beltran’s Aljuf squad was at the receiving end from the first quarter up until the third period when its vaunted offensive game overran the Assassins to win by 101-94.