Muharraq clinch the title in the League - Jul 15, 2012
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 leg'end 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. Courtesy of: https://www.gulf-daily-news.com
Muharraq claim basketball Cup - May 28, 2012
MUHARRAQ last night claimed Zain Bahrain Basketball Cup for the fifth time with a resounding 80-65 win over holders Manama. In the deciding Game Three of the final playoff, held at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassan, Muharraq played one of their best matches and capped the 2011/12 season in style. American professional Chester Giles (211-F/C-85, college: Oregon St.) was again the main contributor to Muharraq's victory, top scoring with 20 points besides making several defensive rebounds which proved vital. Muharraq controlled most of the proceedings in a thrilling encounter, which was witnessed by a full-house supporting both clubs. The victory can also be credited to Muharraq's rising players Kadhim Majid and Mohammed Aziz, who came off the bench to score crucial points especially in the third and penultimate quarter.
Muharraq squad, managed by American tactician Charlie Parker, also comprised some of Bahrain's best local players like veteran Ahmed Malalla, Mohammed Abdulmajeed, Bader Abdulla, Ahmed Al Durazi and Ali Abbas.
On the other hand, it was probably the worst game for Manama this season, as they watched their bid to win the competition for a record 15 times go up in smoke. Darius Rice (208-F-82, college: Miami, FL) of the US was Manama's top scorer with 24 points, which was also the highest in the game.
But Manama, under their Argentinean coach Ricardo Daniel, were unable to match the composure and power of their opponents who put the scores beyond reach early in the fourth quarter.
Others spearheading Manama yesterday were Ahmed Aziz, Isa Ebrahim, Jassim Mohammed, Hassan Naorooz, Mohammed Al Durazi and skipper Mahmood Ghuloom. Ahmed Al Mutawa (199-F/C-81, college: Broward CC) was the only other player besides Darius to show up for Manama the entire game, defensively and Offensively with 16 points 11 rebounds and 5 steals.
Honoured
Bahrain Basketball Association president and Parliament Member Adel Al Assomi honoured the finalists after the final at a prize-distribution ceremony which was also attended by senior basketball officials and representatives of both clubs.
Last night's finale got underway in an exciting fashion, with Manama scoring four consecutive points through Al Mutawa and Rice, before promising basketball star Al Durazi opened the scoring for Muharraq with a two-pointer. After going ahead 10-9 in the sixth minute with Al Durazi's three-pointer, it was Muharraq all the way as the team in red jerseys completed the 10-minute first quarter ahead at 14-11. The second quarter was the most interesting as Muharraq coach Parkrer was forced to pull out Giles after he committed his third foul. However, Muharraq put on a spirited show later on, extending their lead to 35-30, thanks to Majed who fired 13 points after coming onto the court.
Manama were hoping to bounce back in the third quarter, but Muharraq maintained momentum and stretched their lead to 19 points.There was no stopping Muharraq, who continued to dominate in the fourth and final quarter, putting up a solid defence and scoring from all over the court much to the joy of their fans. President of the Bahrain Equestrian and Horse Racing Federation and deputy chairman of the Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa led top officials in congratulating Muharraq on winning the title.
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