LBL Round 1: Al Riyadi takes a leadership position

The Regular Season in LBL just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Al Riyadi defeated Antranik in Beirut 78-74. Al Riyadi made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 Antranik turnovers and outrebounded them 47-34 including a 21-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 6 rebounds. Swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) contributed with 15 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. Omar Kaissy answered with 16 points and 8 assists for Antranik. Antranik will play next round against strong Hoops trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut - Hoops. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Dynamo. It will be extra interesting game as Dynamo is their local rival from Beirut.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Anibal in Zahle. Visitors were defeated by Atlas 74-65. Elie Bedran stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Joel Abdallah chipped in 16 points and 9 assists. At the losing side Bechara Saba responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Atlas will play against Homentmen in Beirut in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Anibal will play at home against Champville to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Champville in a game in Dik El Mehdi versus undefeated Dynamo 72-67. Jad Khalil nailed 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Elias Rustom came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for Champville in the defeat. Dynamo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.

In the last two games of round 1 Byblos lost to Hoops on the road 62-85. Sagesse destroyed Homentmen on its own court 99-62.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 21 points and 10 rebounds by Christophe Khalil of Sagesse.

Atlas - Anibal 74-65

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Anibal in Zahle. Visitors were defeated by Atlas 74-65. Strangely Anibal outrebounded Atlas 44-30 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Elie Bedran stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Joel Abdallah chipped in 16 points and 9 assists. At the losing side Bechara Saba responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds and Ghassan Tacca scored 14 points and 8 rebounds. Four Anibal players scored in double figures. Atlas will play against Homentmen in Beirut in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Anibal will play at home against Champville to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Atlas: B.Elie 18+12reb, R.Dib 17+5reb+4ast, A.Joel 16+2reb+9ast, A.Malla Mohamad 8+4reb, A.Sbeity 6+1reb+3ast, C.Kodsi 6+2ast
Anibal: T.Ghassan 14+8reb, M.Christopher 14+1reb+5ast, S.Bechara 13+12reb+1ast, A.Tanos Rami 12+7reb+3ast, H.Turfe 6+5reb+4ast, M.Tarek 4+1reb

Champville - Dynamo 67-72

An interesting game was also tough home loss of Champville in a game in Dik El Mehdi versus undefeated Dynamo 72-67. The former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-96) nailed 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and guard Jimmy Salem (190-95) accounted for 19 points and 6 rebounds. The former international swingman Elias Rustom (197-87) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Omar Jamaleddine (193, college: SLC) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Champville in the defeat. Dynamo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Dynamo: J.Khalil 20+5reb+6ast, J.Salem 19+6reb+3ast, M.Haidar 12+11reb+5ast, O.El Ayoubi 9+9reb+3ast, J.Assi 6+4reb, A.Tanios 6+2reb
Champville: O.Jamaleddine 16+7reb, E.Rustom 14+10reb+2ast, M.Martinez 10+4reb+2ast, I.Haddad 8+1reb, G.Salibi 8+5reb+1ast, P.Bou Abboud 7+7reb+2ast

Hoops - Byblos 85-62

Hoops used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Byblos 85-62 on Sunday night. Hoops had a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Hicham El Helou nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and the former international swingman Khalil Aoun (195-90) accounted for 15 points and 8 rebounds. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. Forward William Sawan (201-98) came up with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Bechara Boustany added 16 points respectively for Byblos 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. Hoops' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Hoops: E.Helou Hicham 23+19reb+4ast, G.Choueiry 21+1reb+3ast, H.Abdallah 15+6reb+2ast, K.Aoun 15+8reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 4+4reb+8ast, S.Jason 3+4reb+1ast
Byblos: W.Sawan 18+9reb+4ast, B.Bechara 16+4reb, S.Joey 10+4reb+5ast, S.Georges 9+8reb, H.Elie 4+6reb, H.Omar El 3+2reb+1ast

Al Riyadi - Antranik 78-74

Al Riyadi defeated Antranik in Beirut 78-74. Al Riyadi made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 Antranik turnovers and outrebounded them 47-34 including a 21-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Amir Saoud (186-91) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 6 rebounds. Swingman Mark Khoury (196-98) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Omar Kaissy answered with 16 points and 8 assists and guard Karl Assi (187-98) added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Antranik. Antranik will play next round against strong Hoops trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut - Hoops. Al Riyadi will try to continue on its current victory against Dynamo. It will be extra interesting game as Dynamo is their local rival from Beirut.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: A.Saoud 29+6reb+1ast, K.Zeinoun 15+5reb+1ast, M.Khoury 15+18reb+1ast, A.Mansour 10+4reb+4ast, J.Abdel Nour 5+9reb, B.Tabbara 2+1reb
Antranik: O.Kaissy 16+4reb+8ast, E.Ahmad 14+6reb, G.Yves-Daaboul 13+3reb+3ast, D.Mohammad 7+4reb+1ast, K.Assi 7+7reb+7ast, S.Elias 6+2reb+1ast

Sagesse - Homentmen 99-62

Sagesse used a home court advantage and smashed the opponent from Beirut 99-62 on Monday night. Sagesse made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game, while Homentmen only scored six points from the stripe. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sagesse made 11 blocks. Christophe Khalil nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for the winning side and international Aziz Abdel Massih (192-96) accounted for 22 points. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Karl Zaloum came up with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Karim Jadayel (191-92) added 15 points respectively for Homentmen in the defeat. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena .
Top scorers:
Sagesse: A.Abdel Massih 22+3reb+3ast, K.Christophe 21+10reb+3ast, M.Khoueiry 13+4reb, A.Mezher 11+4reb+13ast, H.Mike 9+3reb+1ast, A.Salim 8+3reb
Homentmen: K.Jadayel 15+3reb+3ast, Z.Karl 12+7reb+6ast, G.Elio 9+1reb+1ast, D.Baghdadian 9+9reb+1ast, S.Elios 7+6reb+1ast, A.Serouj 4+3reb



Tags : AMIR SAOUD, SPORTING AL RIYADI BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL