Premier League Round 7 (Second Stage): Orthodox lose their first game against Al Riyadi

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Orthodox (6-1) in Amman on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Al Riyadi (4-4) 88-78. It ended at the same time the 17-game winning streak of Orthodox. It was a great evening for the former international forward Ahmad Obeid (197-1990) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 7 rebounds. American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) helped adding 25 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side the former international guard Freddy Ibrahim (190-1996, college: Tampa) responded with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Despite that victory Al Riyadi went down to third position due to points difference. Orthodox at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Amman: Al Ahli (#3) and Al Riyadi (#2). Al Riyadi was defeated at home 81-90 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Gerard Tarin (206-1996, college: Nova SE) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. Amin Abuhawwas accounted for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Al Ahli's coach Mo'tasem Salameh allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) came up with 28 points for Al Riyadi in the defeat. Defending champion (4-3) moved-up to second place. Al Riyadi at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost.

Orthodox - Al Riyadi 78-88

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Orthodox (6-1) in Amman on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Al Riyadi (4-4) 88-78. It ended at the same time the 17-game winning streak of Orthodox. It was a great evening for the former international forward Ahmad Obeid (197-1990) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 7 rebounds. American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) helped adding 25 points and 7 rebounds. Spearman is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side the former international guard Freddy Ibrahim (190-1996, college: Tampa) responded with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international forward Ahmad Alhamarsheh (197-1987) scored 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Al Riyadi and five Orthodox players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Al Riyadi went down to third position due to points difference. Orthodox at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost.
Top scorers:
Orthodox: F.Ibrahim 18+7reb+8ast, A.Alhamarsheh 15+9reb+6ast, A.Ashraf 15+4reb+1ast, C.Al-Najdawi 11+5reb+1ast, M.Hussein 10+8reb+3ast, A.Shiyab Akef 9+2reb
Al Riyadi: A.Obeid 25+7reb+2ast, B.Spearman 25+7reb+2ast, Y.Al Taweel 13+9reb+4ast, M.Kanaan 13+4reb+7ast, Y.Abuwazaneh 8+11reb+1ast, M.Mutleq 4+6reb+1ast

Al Riyadi - Al Ahli 81-90

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Amman: Al Ahli (#3) and Al Riyadi (#2). Al Riyadi was defeated at home 81-90 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Al Ahli shot 23 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Al Riyadi only scored seven points from the stripe. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Al Riyadi was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Gerard Tarin (206-1996, college: Nova SE) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. The former international guard Amin Abuhawwas (190-1994, college: Mars Hill) accounted for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. Worth to mention Tarin played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Five Al Ahli players scored in double figures. Al Ahli's coach Mo'tasem Salameh allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American swingman Brandon Spearman (191-1991, college: Hawaii) came up with 28 points and the former international guard Malek Kanaan (182-1993, college: W.Valley JC) added 17 points and 6 assists respectively for Al Riyadi in the defeat. Defending champion (4-3) moved-up to second place. Al Riyadi at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: B.Spearman 28+4reb+2ast, M.Kanaan 17+2reb+6ast, Y.Abuwazaneh 9+11reb+4ast, Y.Al Taweel 8+6reb+1ast, A.Obeid 8+8reb+1ast, D.Adham 6+3reb+3ast
Al Ahli: G.Tarin 23+10reb+2ast, Z.Najdawi 18+5reb+3ast, A.Abuhawwas 17+9reb+8ast, Q.Fadi 15+4reb+4ast, S.Bzai 14+4reb+6ast, M.Abdeen 2



Tags : AHMAD OBEID, AL RIYADI AMMAN, JORDANIAN BASKETBALL