LBL Round 4: Atlas defeat Al Riyadi

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Riyadi (1-1) in Zahle on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Atlas (2-1) 86-78. Atlas outrebounded Al Riyadi 46-26 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-90) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Marc Abi Kheres (197-94) contributed with 7 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Atlas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) replied with 32 points and 5 rebounds for Al Riyadi. Atlas moved-up to third place, which they share with Moutahed and Hoops. Defending champion Al Riyadi dropped to the seventh position with one game lost. Atlas is looking forward to face Hoops (#4) in Beirut in the next round. Al Riyadi will have a break next round.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#4) and Hoops (#2). Hoops were defeated at home 68-83 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoops. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Nadim Souaid (192-86, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Christophe Khalil who added 17 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side international Habib Abdallah responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Hoops' coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sagesse (2-0) moved-up to second place. Hoops at the other side dropped to the third position with one game lost. They share it with Moutahed and Atlas. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Very important is a road loss of first ranked Beirut Club (3-1) against eighth ranked Champville (2-2) on Friday night. Visiting Beirut Club was defeated by Champville in Dik El Mehdi 80-67. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Beirut Club. The winners were led by Fadi El Khatib who scored that evening 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds. Even 15 points, 6 assists and 4 steals by Georges El Beyrouty did not help to save the game for Beirut Club. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Loser Beirut Club still keeps top position with one game lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Anibal is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to sixth ranked Moutahed (2-1) 86-56. Ibrahim Haddad fired a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Moutahed's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Moutahed moved-up to third place, which they share with Hoops and Atlas. Anibal at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Moutahed will have a break next round. Anibal will play on the road against Byblos (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Atlas - Al Riyadi 86-78

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Riyadi (1-1) in Zahle on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Atlas (2-1) 86-78. Atlas outrebounded Al Riyadi 46-26 including 17 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-90) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Marc Abi Kheres (197-94) contributed with 7 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Atlas players scored in double figures. Atlas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) replied with 32 points and 5 rebounds and international guard Karim Zeinoun (188-99, agency: BIG) added 14 points, 5 assists and 5 steals in the effort for Al Riyadi. Atlas moved-up to third place, which they share with Moutahed and Hoops. Defending champion Al Riyadi dropped to the seventh position with one game lost. Atlas is looking forward to face Hoops (#4) in Beirut in the next round. Al Riyadi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 32+5reb+1ast, K.Zeinoun 14+3reb+5ast, H.Gyokchyan 10+2reb+1ast, J.Abdel Nour 9+10reb+1ast, A.Mansour 7+5reb+5ast, J.Aby Khers 4+1reb+3ast
Atlas: K.Mohamad 16+2reb+3ast, J.Zaloum 16+6reb+6ast, S.Elias 13+9reb, E.Helou Hicham 11+8reb, M.Abi Kheres 7+13reb+5ast, K.Mansour 6+1reb

Hoops - Sagesse 68-83

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#4) and Hoops (#2). Hoops were defeated at home 68-83 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoops. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Nadim Souaid (192-86, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Christophe Khalil who added 17 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. At the losing side international Habib Abdallah responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and naturalized French guard Gabriel Salibi (203, college: Northeastern St., agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Hoops' coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sagesse (2-0) moved-up to second place. Hoops at the other side dropped to the third position with one game lost. They share it with Moutahed and Atlas. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Hoops: H.Abdallah 22+10reb+3ast, G.Salibi 19+10reb+3ast, Y.Ghantous 10+5ast, M.Fadi 4+1reb, N.Hachem 4+2reb, K.Michel 3
Sagesse: N.Souaid 22+8reb+4ast, K.Christophe 17+15reb, A.Mezher 15+6reb+6ast, M.Khoueiry 11+3reb+1ast, R.Fahed 9+1reb+2ast, H.Mike 7

Champville - Beirut Club 80-67

Very important is a road loss of first ranked Beirut Club (3-1) against eighth ranked Champville (2-2) on Friday night. Visiting Beirut Club was defeated by Champville in Dik El Mehdi 80-67. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Beirut Club. Champville made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Champville had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by the former international forward Fadi El Khatib (198-79, agency: BIG) who scored that evening 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and the former international swingman Elias Rustom (197-87) supported him with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Even 15 points, 6 assists and 4 steals by international guard Georges El Beyrouty (193-99) did not help to save the game for Beirut Club. The former international forward Patrick Bou Abboud (199-87) added 13 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Loser Beirut Club still keeps top position with one game lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: G.El Beyrouty 15+4reb+6ast, N.Rabay 13+1reb, P.Bou Abboud 13+8reb+3ast, R.Akl 9+5reb+2ast, A.Joel 8+6reb+3ast, M.Ziadeh 7+4reb+1ast
Champville: F.El Khatib 33+7reb+2ast, E.Rustom 22+9reb+3ast, J.Chartouny 9+5reb+3ast, K.Ezzeddine 7+8reb+6ast, J.Bitar 4+4reb+1ast, R.Akl 3+4reb+2ast

Anibal - Moutahed 56-86

Bottom-ranked Anibal is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to sixth ranked Moutahed (2-1) 86-56. Moutahed dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Anibal's 28. Moutahed forced 24 Anibal turnovers. Ibrahim Haddad (-98) fired a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Guard Malek Hijazi (190-94, college: West LA) chipped in 15 points and 6 assists. Four Moutahed players scored in double figures. Moutahed's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Guard Simon Daoud (182-85) produced 22 points and 6 rebounds and Andre Tannoury (195-1) added 13 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Moutahed moved-up to third place, which they share with Hoops and Atlas. Anibal at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Moutahed will have a break next round. Anibal will play on the road against Byblos (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Anibal: S.Daoud 22+6reb+3ast, A.Tannoury 13+9reb+1ast, S.Bechara 9+7reb+1ast, H.Georges 5+4reb+1ast, T.Ghassan 4+5reb+1ast, M.Christopher 3+2reb+1ast
Moutahed: I.Haddad 29+10reb+2ast, W.Sawan 17+7reb, M.Hijazi 15+4reb+6ast, G.Elio 12+1reb+2ast, W.Zeidan 3+3reb, S.Rayan 3+1reb



Tags : JOSEPH ZALOUM, ATLAS FERZOL, LEBANESE BASKETBALL