LBL Round 17: Hoops are defeated by Sagesse in a derby game

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#6) and Hoops (#3). Sagesse (7-5) won against visiting Hoops (7-5) 89-76. 24 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international swingman Nadim Souaid (192-86, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and international point guard Ali Mezher (182-94) chipped in 16 points, 8 assists and 5 steals (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Naturalized French guard Gabriel Salibi (203, college: Northeastern St., agency: BIG) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Hoops' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Sagesse moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Hoops.
Bottom-ranked Anibal (0-12) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 12th consecutive match to eighth ranked Moutahed (5-7) 90-57. Ibrahim Haddad (-98) nailed 31 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and Omar Bakkar accounted for 11 points and 6 rebounds. Bechara Saba came up with 12 points for Anibal in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Moutahed moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Byblos. Anibal at the other side still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Moutahed will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Anibal will have a break next round.

Sagesse - Hoops 89-76

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#6) and Hoops (#3). Sagesse (7-5) won against visiting Hoops (7-5) 89-76. 24 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international swingman Nadim Souaid (192-86, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and international point guard Ali Mezher (182-94) chipped in 16 points, 8 assists and 5 steals (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Naturalized French guard Gabriel Salibi (203, college: Northeastern St., agency: BIG) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Youssef Ghantous (191-96) scored 13 points and 7 assists. Four Sagesse and five Hoops players scored in double figures. Hoops' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Sagesse moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Hoops.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: N.Souaid 29+12reb+3ast, A.Mezher 16+3reb+8ast, K.Christophe 15+3reb, H.Mike 11+2reb, S.Michel 10+4reb+3ast, M.Khoueiry 8+3reb+2ast
Hoops: G.Salibi 16+5reb+5ast, Y.Ghantous 13+1reb+7ast, G.Choueiry 13+1reb+3ast, N.Hachem 11+2reb, D.Baghdadian 10+8reb+1ast, S.Jason 4+2reb

Moutahed - Anibal 90-57

Bottom-ranked Anibal (0-12) is still winless. This time they lost on the road their 12th consecutive match to eighth ranked Moutahed (5-7) 90-57. Moutahed dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Anibal's 34. They outrebounded Anibal 47-30 including a 37-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ibrahim Haddad (-98) nailed 31 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and Omar Bakkar accounted for 11 points and 6 rebounds. Bechara Saba came up with 12 points and Ghassan Tacca added 6 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Anibal in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Moutahed moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Byblos. Anibal at the other side still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Moutahed will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Anibal will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Moutahed: I.Haddad 31+5reb+1ast, G.Elio 12+3reb+2ast, B.Omar 11+6reb, B.Abdel 7+2reb, W.Sawan 7+7reb+3ast, Z.Hassan 6+2reb+1ast
Anibal: S.Bechara 12+3reb+2ast, A.Nicolas 9+3reb+1ast, M.Christopher 8+3reb+1ast, H.Georges 6+2reb+1ast, M.Tarek 6+4ast, T.Ghassan 6+7reb+1ast



Tags : NADIM SOUAID, SAGESSE - AL HEKMEH BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL