Seeb claims its fifth OBA league title
The rivalry between Seeb and Ahli-Sidab clubs in Muscat goes beyond just one sport. Be it hockey or handball or volleyball or basketball, there have been some memorable matches between the two giants of Muscat over the past many decades.
And on Tuesday, it was no different in the final of the 2017-18 Oman Basketball Association (OBA) league as the two clubs produced a thriller with Seeb prevailing over its arch-rival 77-75 in extra-time at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (SQSC).
The victory gave Seeb, coached by Bosnian Muris Memic, its fifth league title. Nizwa tops the tally with 13 crowns and Ahli-Sidab has nine. Last year's winner Nizwa was absent for the first time from the top-two spots since 2003 as it finished third.
Ahli-Sidab's quest for its tenth crown got off to a confident start as it led it first quarter 18-16 but conceded the lead in the next as Seeb nudged ahead 38-36. The post-interval had Ahli-Sidab take lead again (51-47) but a remarkable fightback by Seeb, led by league's top-scorer Antonio of US, forced the teams to go into extra-time with teams deadlocked 63-63 at the end of regulation time.
The American made the difference in the end as he steered Seeb to the title.
Seeb's Mahmood al Sooli was named the best centre of the tournament while Mazin al Hadidi of Ahli-Sidab recorded maximum three-pointer.
Later, H E Rashad al Hinai, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, gave away the awards in the presence of H H Sayyid Melek al Said, Seeb Club’s board member, Fareed al Zadjali, the OBA chairman, sports officials and a large number of Seeb supporters.