Al Muharraq sweep Al Ahli to reach Bahrain Premier League final; Al Manama survive overtime thriller against Al Najma

Game 3 of the Bahrain Premier League (Zain Basketball League) semifinals produced contrasting storylines on Wednesday, as Al Muharraq completed a dominant series sweep while Al Manama needed overtime to edge closer to the final.

Al Muharraq 102, Al Ahli 63 — Al Muharraq wins series 3-0

Al Muharraq left no doubt in the deciding game, demolishing 20-time champions Al Ahli 102-63 to advance to the Bahrain Premier League final with a comprehensive 3-0 series sweep. The four-time champions were in command from the opening tip, leading 27-21 after the first quarter before extending their advantage to 55-36 at halftime. The third quarter was where Muharraq delivered the knockout blow, pouring in 32 points while holding Al Ahli to just nine — a 23-point quarter that blew the contest wide open at 87-45. Al Ahli managed a more respectable 18-point fourth quarter, but by then the game was long over. The 39-point margin underlined the gulf between the sides and sends Al Muharraq into the final with serious momentum.

Al Manama 95, Al Najma 92 (OT) — Al Manama leads series 2-1

The other semifinal was an altogether different affair. Record 25-time champions Al Manama survived a pulsating overtime contest against Al Najma, edging home 95-92 to take a 2-1 series lead. Al Najma led 19-17 after the first quarter and held a 39-42 advantage at halftime, before Al Manama fought back in the third to trail 57-62 heading into the fourth. A dramatic 26-21 final quarter from Al Manama forced overtime at 83-83, and the league's most decorated club outscored Al Najma 12-9 in the extra period to snatch the victory. Al Najma will now face elimination in Game 4 as they try to extend the series, while Al Manama can clinch their finals berth with one more win.