MUHARRAQ were last night crowned Zain Bahrain Basketball League champions for the second time in their history after an epic 100-92 come-from-behind, extra-time victory over Al Ahli in game four of the best-of-five final series. The win, at Zain Bahrain Basketball Arena in Umm Al Hassam was the third on the trot for Muharraq over their rivals and gave them an unassailable 3-1 series lead. For most of last nights clash however, it seemed for all money that a fifth meeting of the two sides would be needed to decide the destination of the title, as Al Ahli held the lead, and for the most a comfortable one, from literally the first minute to the last. Following the remarkable and unceremonious sacking of coach Brian Lester following Wednesdays loss in game three, Al Ahli entered last nights episode under the guidance of former right-hand-man Aqeel Milad but the veteran campaigner couldnt have asked for a better opening from his side.
Muharraq notched the first point of the match, through American star Chester Giles (211-F/C-85, college: Oregon St.), it was virtually all one way traffic until the hooter sounded for quarter-time as the 17-time champions then went on a spree of 11 unanswered points and finished with a near-unbelievable 33-11 advantage to take firm control of the match. Already knowing that this would be the stuff of legend if they were to come back from such a deficit, Muharraq outfit returned to court looking a little shell-shocked but they managed to at least stem the Al Ahli tide to go to half-time 52-34 in arrears.
A vital start to the second half was vital to Muharraq and they duly delivered it and continued to chip away at the lead, which, with ten minute to go, was down to single figures. That final quarter was as tense as they come as both sides tried to out-do each other. Amazingly though, a well-taken three-pointer from Ahmed Hasan saw Muharraq draw level for the first time since the top-off, and send the game into extra time. All the momentum was with Muharraq at that stage and, in an almost exact reversal of game one, Al Ahli imploded to hand victory to their opponents.
Nobody in their right mind would deny Muharraq are worthy champions, as they cap off a magnificent season that has seen them lead the way throughout the league campaign and also capture the Bahrain Basketball Cup back in May. Packed with action and no little drama, this finals series has had it all. Despite getting off to a slow start in game one, Al Ahli came alive in the closing stages to force it into extra time and then cranked up the gears to register what had seemed a highly unlikely 84-70 victory. Muharraq hit back to claim a 92-90 win in game two, which was almost overshadowed by angry clashes between players, officials and fans of the two sides after the final hooter, before a 70-61 victory on Sunday.
Source GDN Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2012
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Premier League Round 21: Muharraq defeats leader Al Manama - May 16, 2013
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Al Ittihad - Issa Town 56-65 Bahrain Club - Nuwaidrat 58-66 Al Hala - Al Manama 62-80 Al Najma - Hidd 69-79 Al Ahli - Sitra 73-87 Muharraq - Samaheej 114-59 Al Manama - Muharraq 71-78 [read more]
There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in Premier League.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Al Manama (18-3) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Muharraq (17-3) 78-71. It ended at the same time the 16-game winning streak of Al Manama. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Muharraq have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 17-3 record behind leader Al Manama. Al Manama at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Muharraq are looking forward to face Al Najma (#10) in Manama in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Manama will play on the road against Al Ahli (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Very important is a home loss of second ranked Al Ahli (16-5) against fifth ranked Sitra (14-7) on Sunday night. Host Al Ahli was defeated by Sitra in Manama 87-73. Sitra maintains fifth place with 14-7 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost. Sitra will play against Al Ittihad (#11) in Manama in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ahli will play at home against the league's leader Al Manama (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. An interesting game for Al Manama (18-3) which played road game in Muharraq against 4th placed Al Hala (14-6). First ranked Al Manama had an easy win 80-62. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Hala. The victory was the sixteenth consecutive win for Al Manama. They maintain first place with 18-3 record. Defending champion Al Hala keeps the fourth position with six games lost. Al Manama will meet Al Ahli (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Hala will play against Nuwaidrat and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Bottom-ranked Samaheej is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their 21th consecutive match to second ranked Muharraq (17-3) 114-59. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Muharraq. They maintain second place with 17-3 record behind leader Al Manama. Samaheej lost their twentieth first game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings. Muharraq's next round opponent will be Al Najma (#10) in Manama and are hoping to win another game.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 21: Issa Town beat Al Ittihad on the road 65-56. Bahrain Club lost to Nuwaidrat on its own court 58-66. Hidd managed to outperform Al Najma in a road game 79-69.
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Issa Town (11-10) beat 10th ranked Al Ittihad (4-17) in Manama 65-56. Issa Town maintains seventh place with 11-10 record. Al Ittihad at the other side keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Issa Town's next round opponent will be Bahrain Club (#9) in Manama. Al Ittihad will play on the road against Sitra.
Rather expected game when 9th ranked Bahrain Club (7-14) lost to sixth ranked Nuwaidrat (12-9) in Manama 58-66. Nuwaidrat maintains sixth place with 12-9 record. Bahrain Club at the other side keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Nuwaidrat's next round opponent will be higher ranked Al Hala (#4) in Muharraq and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bahrain Club will play at home against Issa Town (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Al Manama (18-3) which played road game in Muharraq against 4th placed Al Hala (14-6). First ranked Al Manama had an easy win 80-62. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Hala. The victory was the sixteenth consecutive win for Al Manama. They maintain first place with 18-3 record. Defending champion Al Hala keeps the fourth position with six games lost. Al Manama will meet Al Ahli (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Hala will play against Nuwaidrat and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Hidd (8-13) won against 10th ranked Al Najma (4-17) in Manama 79-69. Newly promoted Hidd maintains eighth place with 8-13 record. Al Najma at the other side keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Hidd's next round opponent will be higher ranked Nuwaidrat (#6) on the road and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Najma will play against the league's second-placed Muharraq (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Al Ahli (16-5) against fifth ranked Sitra (14-7) on Sunday night. Host Al Ahli was defeated by Sitra in Manama 87-73. Sitra maintains fifth place with 14-7 record. Al Ahli at the other side dropped to the third position with five games lost. Sitra will play against Al Ittihad (#11) in Manama in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Ahli will play at home against the league's leader Al Manama (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Samaheej is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their 21th consecutive match to second ranked Muharraq (17-3) 114-59. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Muharraq. They maintain second place with 17-3 record behind leader Al Manama. Samaheej lost their twentieth first game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings. Muharraq's next round opponent will be Al Najma (#10) in Manama and are hoping to win another game.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Al Manama (18-3) at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Muharraq (17-3) 78-71. It ended at the same time the 16-game winning streak of Al Manama. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Muharraq have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 17-3 record behind leader Al Manama. Al Manama at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Muharraq are looking forward to face Al Najma (#10) in Manama in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Manama will play on the road against Al Ahli (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Premier League Round 20: Issa Town defeats Al Ahli in the closest game of the week - May 7, 2013
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Hidd - Samaheej 91-64 Nuwaidrat - Al Ittihad 70-63 Issa Town - Al Ahli 94-91 Al Najma - Bahrain Club 64-71 Sitra - Al Manama 56-74 [read more]
There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Premier League.
The most exciting game of round 20 in the Premier League took place in Issa Town. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Al Ahli (16-4) to seventh ranked Issa Town (10-10) 94-91 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Issa Town maintains seventh position with 10-10 record. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the second place with four games lost. Issa Town are looking forward to face Al Ittihad (#11) in Manama in the next round. Al Ahli will play at home against Sitra (#5) and is hoping to win this game. Premier League top team - Al Manama (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Sitra (13-7) 74-56. Al Manama have an impressive 15-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. Sitra at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Al Manama will play against Al Hala (#4) in Muharraq in the next round. Sitra will play on the road against the league's second-placed Al Ahli in Manama and hopes to get back on the winning track. Bottom-ranked Samaheej (0-20) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to ninth ranked Hidd (7-13) 91-64 on Monday evening. Hidd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Bahrain Club. Samaheej at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings. Hidd will meet Al Najma (#10) in the next round. Samaheej will play against Muharraq in Al Muharraq and hopes to get finally their first victory.
In the last two games of round 20 Al Ittihad lost to Nuwaidrat on the opponent's court 63-70. Al Najma unfortunately lost to Bahrain Club in a home game 64-71.
Bottom-ranked Samaheej (0-20) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to ninth ranked Hidd (7-13) 91-64 on Monday evening. Hidd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Bahrain Club. Samaheej at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings. Hidd will meet Al Najma (#10) in the next round. Samaheej will play against Muharraq in Al Muharraq and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Very expected game when 10th ranked Al Ittihad (4-16) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Nuwaidrat (11-9) 70-63 on Monday. Nuwaidrat maintains sixth position with 11-9 record. Loser Al Ittihad keeps the tenth place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Al Najma. Nuwaidrat will meet Bahrain Club (#9) in the next round. Al Ittihad will play against Issa Town and hope to secure a win.
The most exciting game of round 20 in the Premier League took place in Issa Town. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Al Ahli (16-4) to seventh ranked Issa Town (10-10) 94-91 on Saturday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Ahli. Issa Town maintains seventh position with 10-10 record. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the second place with four games lost. Issa Town are looking forward to face Al Ittihad (#11) in Manama in the next round. Al Ahli will play at home against Sitra (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Bahrain Club's (7-13) road victory over 10th ranked Al Najma (4-16) 71-64 on Saturday. Bahrain Club moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Hidd. Loser Al Najma keeps the tenth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Al Ittihad. Bahrain Club will meet at home higher ranked Nuwaidrat (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Najma will play against Hidd (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Premier League top team - Al Manama (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Sitra (13-7) 74-56. Al Manama have an impressive 15-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. Sitra at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Al Manama will play against Al Hala (#4) in Muharraq in the next round. Sitra will play on the road against the league's second-placed Al Ahli in Manama and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Al Ahli club the club which currently in 2nd position of the league decided to release Aaron Pettway (211-C-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma St.) and signed with the Ivory cost National team player Lamizana Mamadou (207-F/C-81, college: Rutgers) .. Aaron was one of the best foreign players in the league this season .. and this decision surprised a couple of Bahrainian Basketball followers ..at other hand Sitra club signed with its 5th foreign player this season [read more]
Al Ahli club the club which currently in 2nd position of the league decided to release Aaron Pettway (211-C-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Oklahoma St.) and signed with the Ivory cost National team player Lamizana Mamadou (207-F/C-81, college: Rutgers) .. Aaron was one of the best foreign players in the league this season .. and this decision surprised a couple of Bahrainian Basketball followers ..
at other hand Sitra club signed with its 5th foreign player this season .. he is former player of the club and Morroco National team player Younes Idrissi (204-C/F-84, college: Iona), Youness will replace Jamal Holden ..
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