Premier League Round 9: Al Wihdat hand first defeat to Al Ahli

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Al Ahli (8-1) recorded its first loss in Amman on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Al Wihdat (7-2) 87-70. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Al Ahli. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Al Ahli 51-33 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was international guard Amin Abuhawwas (190-94, college: Mars Hill) who scored 31 points and 6 rebounds. International center Yousef Abuwazaneh (201-93) chipped in 20 points and 14 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was international center Mohammad Hussein (210-90) who recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds. Al Wihdat have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 7-2 record behind leader Al Ahli. Al Ahli at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Al Wihdat's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Amman Orthodox.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Irbid: Kofer Yoba (#4) and Al Jalil (#6). Al Jalil was crushed at home by 16 points 66-82 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a good game for Palestinian center Yousef Shatat (210-94) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Khaled Abuaboud contributed with 19 points and 6 assists for the winners. Kofer Yoba's coach Ibrahim Abu Asous used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ibrahim Hamati (187-96) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds for Al Jalil. Kofer Yoba maintains fourth place with 4-5 record. Al Jalil lost their ninth game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with nine games lost. Kofer Yoba will play against higher ranked Al Jubaiha (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Jalil will play against the league's leader Al Ahli in Amman and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Al Jubaiha (5-4) against fifth ranked Orthodox (3-6) on Monday night. Visiting Al Jubaiha was defeated by Orthodox in a tough game in Amman 81-90. Yousef Al-Awamleh stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Ahmad Obeid with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Orthodox maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Loser Al Jubaiha keeps the third position with four games lost. Orthodox's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Amman to the arena Al Wihdat.

Orthodox - Al Jubaiha 90-81

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Al Jubaiha (5-4) against fifth ranked Orthodox (3-6) on Monday night. Visiting Al Jubaiha was defeated by Orthodox in a tough game in Amman 81-90. Orthodox looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Yousef Al-Awamleh stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and international guard Ashraf Al-Hendi (190-95) chipped in 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Ahmad Obeid (200-90) with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and international guard Malek Kanaan (182-93, college: W.Valley JC) scored 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Orthodox maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Loser Al Jubaiha keeps the third position with four games lost. Orthodox's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Amman to the arena Al Wihdat.
Top scorers:
Orthodox: A.Ashraf 21+7reb+5ast, Y.Al-Awamleh 20+14reb+4ast, H.Ahmad 19+1reb+3ast, A.Mohammad 15+5reb, Z.Hisham 12+7reb+3ast, F.Al-Siyouri 3+10reb+7ast
Al Jubaiha: A.Obeid 24+8reb+4ast, M.Omar 19+5reb+2ast, M.Kanaan 16+6reb+4ast, K.Abu Ruqayah 11+3reb+2ast, S.Bzai 5+2reb+3ast, A.Bostami 3+9reb+7ast

Al Jalil - Kofer Yoba 66-82

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Irbid: Kofer Yoba (#4) and Al Jalil (#6). Al Jalil was crushed at home by 16 points 66-82 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Kofer Yoba forced 26 Al Jalil turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a good game for Palestinian center Yousef Shatat (210-94) who led his team to a victory with 18 points and 9 rebounds. International Khaled Abuaboud (202-97) contributed with 19 points and 6 assists for the winners. Four Kofer Yoba players scored in double figures. Kofer Yoba's coach Ibrahim Abu Asous used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ibrahim Hamati (187-96) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and Ghazi Al-Salah (-0) added 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) in the effort for Al Jalil. Kofer Yoba maintains fourth place with 4-5 record. Al Jalil lost their ninth game in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with nine games lost. Kofer Yoba will play against higher ranked Al Jubaiha (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Jalil will play against the league's leader Al Ahli in Amman and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Kofer Yoba: K.Abuaboud 19+4reb+6ast, Y.Shatat 18+9reb+3ast, J.Mohammad 12+5reb+1ast, M.Bousheh 12+8reb+5ast, G.Alfaraj 6+5reb, Y.Altaweel 6+8reb+4ast
Al Jalil: A.Ghazi 19+8reb, I.Hamati 16+11reb+3ast, A.Zayadneh Ali 10+3reb+2ast, G.Hamaideh Ibrahim 8+1reb+3ast, I.Munir 5+2reb+1ast, A.Suhaib 4+3reb+3ast

Al Wihdat - Al Ahli 87-70

Al Ahli (8-1) recorded its first loss in Amman on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Al Wihdat (7-2) 87-70. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Al Ahli. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Al Ahli 51-33 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. 25 personal fouls committed by Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was international guard Amin Abuhawwas (190-94, college: Mars Hill) who scored 31 points and 6 rebounds. International center Yousef Abuwazaneh (201-93) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds. Abuhawwas is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was international center Mohammad Hussein (210-90) who recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Zaid Abbas (203-83) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Al Wihdat have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 7-2 record behind leader Al Ahli. Al Ahli at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Al Wihdat's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Amman Orthodox.
Top scorers:
Al Wihdat: A.Abuhawwas 31+6reb+2ast, Y.Abuwazaneh 20+14reb+2ast, M.Abdeen 16+4reb+8ast, N.Ahmad 8+6reb+4ast, A.Alhamarsheh 5+8reb, M.Maff 5+8reb+1ast
Al Ahli: M.Hussein 20+9reb+3ast, A.El-Zubi 14+5reb+3ast, Z.Abbas 12+7reb+4ast, H.Abbas 9+4reb, F.Ibrahim 8+4reb+4ast, O.Daghles 7+2reb+7ast



Tags : AMIN ABUHAWWAS, AL WIHDAT AMMAN, JORDANIAN BASKETBALL