LBL Round 6: Al Riyadi keeps a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Al Riyadi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Riyadi smashed 8th ranked Moutahed in Beirut 99-72. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Riyadi made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Al Riyadi outrebounded Moutahed 46-29 including a 34-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Moutahed's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Riyadi made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) who scored 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The former international swingman Jean Abdel Nour (198-83) chipped in 12 points and 15 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was forward William Sawan (201-98, agency: BIG) who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Sagesse. Moutahed at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Moutahed will play next round against Byblos trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#4) and Hoops (#2). Hoops were defeated at home 58-72 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a good game for swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Hayk Gyokchyan contributed with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Guard Georges Choueiry (184-95) replied with 21 points and 6 rebounds for Hoops. Defending champion (3-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Sagesse. Hoops at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Anibal (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 92-67 loss to seventh ranked Champville (3-2) in Zahle on Thursday evening. Joseph Chartouny had a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 steals to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Simon Daoud with 25 points. Champville have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Anibal still closes the standings with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Beirut. Local Homentmen (1-4) was outscored by fifth ranked Atlas (3-2) 105-70. Amir Kassab notched 27 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Atlas moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Homentmen at the other side keeps the ninth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Al Riyadi - Moutahed 99-72

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Al Riyadi as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Riyadi smashed 8th ranked Moutahed in Beirut 99-72. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Riyadi made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Al Riyadi outrebounded Moutahed 46-29 including a 34-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Moutahed's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Riyadi made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) who scored 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). The former international swingman Jean Abdel Nour (198-83) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward William Sawan (201-98, agency: BIG) who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds and Ibrahim Haddad (-98) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Sagesse. Moutahed at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Moutahed will play next round against Byblos trying to get back on the winning streak. Al Riyadi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game.
Top scorers:
Moutahed: G.Elio 16+1reb+2ast, W.Sawan 16+7reb+1ast, I.Haddad 16+5reb+2ast, S.Rayan 8+2reb, M.Hijazi 8+5reb+9ast, W.Zeidan 3+2reb
Al Riyadi: M.Khoury 23+6reb+4ast, H.Gyokchyan 18+4reb+2ast, K.Zeinoun 14+1reb+8ast, A.Saoud 13+4reb+6ast, J.Abdel Nour 12+15reb+2ast, D.John Mark 7+4reb+2ast

Homentmen - Atlas 70-105

The game with biggest result difference took place in Beirut. Local Homentmen (1-4) was outscored by fifth ranked Atlas (3-2) 105-70. Atlas dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Homentmen's 40. They outrebounded Homentmen 51-33 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Atlas players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Amir Kassab notched 27 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and forward Marc Abi Kheres (197-94) supported him with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Atlas players scored in double figures. Even 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Karl Zaloum did not help to save the game for Homentmen. Refaat Harb added 12 points and 7 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Atlas moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Homentmen at the other side keeps the ninth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: Z.Karl 18+5reb+5ast, H.Refaat 12+7reb, H.Toufic 9+2reb, K.Jadayel 8+1reb+1ast, T.Bassel 7+6reb+1ast, K.Varak 7+3reb+1ast
Atlas: K.Amir 27+5reb, J.Jarrouge 18+3reb+1ast, M.Abi Kheres 10+11reb+5ast, E.Helou Hicham 10+5reb+4ast, O.Kaissy 9+4reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 8+3reb+8ast

Hoops - Al Riyadi 58-72

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#4) and Hoops (#2). Hoops were defeated at home 58-72 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a good game for swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-90, college: F&M, agency: BIG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Guard Georges Choueiry (184-95) replied with 21 points and 6 rebounds and international Habib Abdallah added 10 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Hoops. Defending champion (3-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Sagesse. Hoops at the other side dropped to the third place with two games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Hoops: G.Choueiry 21+6reb+1ast, N.Hachem 11+7reb, H.Abdallah 10+9reb+3ast, G.Salibi 8+3reb, Y.Ghantous 4+3reb+7ast, S.Jason 2+1reb+1ast
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 20+1reb+3ast, M.Khoury 18+11reb+1ast, K.Zeinoun 13+5reb+2ast, H.Gyokchyan 10+13reb+3ast, A.Mansour 9+6reb+5ast, J.Aby Khers 2+2reb

Anibal - Champville 67-92

Bottom-ranked Anibal (0-5) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 92-67 loss to seventh ranked Champville (3-2) in Zahle on Thursday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Anibal's 48. Champville forced 24 Anibal turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Anibal's players. The former international guard Joseph Chartouny (190-94, college: Marquette, agency: BIG) had a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 steals to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Nadim Hawi (205-83, agency: BIG) chipped in 18 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Four Champville players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was guard Simon Daoud (182-85) with 25 points and Ghassan Tacca scored 8 points and 12 rebounds. Champville have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Anibal still closes the standings with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Anibal: S.Daoud 25+2reb+1ast, S.Bechara 14+6reb, M.Tarek 8+2reb+4ast, T.Ghassan 8+12reb, A.Tannoury 6+7reb+1ast, M.Christopher 4+3reb+2ast
Champville: J.Chartouny 19+15reb+10ast, N.Hawi 18+14reb, J.Bitar 17+3reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 17+3reb+4ast, R.Akl 9+3reb+7ast, E.Rustom 7+1ast



Tags : MARK KHOURY, SPORTING AL RIYADI BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL