LBL Round 7: Derby game ends with Al Riyadi's defeat of Hoops

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#2) and Hoops (#7). Al Riyadi (5-1) crushed visiting Hoops (3-3) by 33 points 102-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoops. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Hoops' players. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Karim Zeinoun (188-99) who helped to win the game recording 39 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The former international swingman Jean Abdel Nour (198-83) contributed with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Abed Sabbagh answered with 17 points for Hoops. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Riyadi have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 5-1 record having just three points less than leader Dynamo, which they share with Beirut Club. Hoops at the other side keep the seventh position with three games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
LBL top team - Dynamo (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Byblos (1-6) 109-70. It was a great evening for the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-92, college: Rice) who led his team to a victory scoring 41 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. Mohamad Haidar helped adding 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Mohamed Skaf responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 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. Undefeated Dynamo have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Newly promoted Dynamo maintains first place with 7-0 record. Byblos lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with six games lost. Dynamo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut .
Bottom-ranked Anibal is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to seventh ranked Antranik (4-3) 81-65 on Wednesday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Youssef Ghantous who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Bechara Saba came up with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Anibal in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Antranik. They moved-up to sixth place. Anibal lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost.

In the last game of round 7 Atlas were smashed by Champville on the road 86-53.

Antranik - Anibal 81-65

Bottom-ranked Anibal is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their seventh consecutive match to seventh ranked Antranik (4-3) 81-65 on Wednesday evening. Antranik made 21-of-22 free shots (95.5 percent) during the game. Antranik outrebounded Anibal 48-28 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for guard Youssef Ghantous (191-96) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jean-Marc Jarrouge accounted for 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Bechara Saba came up with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Ghassan Tacca added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Anibal in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Antranik. They moved-up to sixth place. Anibal lost their seventh game in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Antranik: Y.Ghantous 22+10reb+3ast, J.Jarrouge 19+5reb+3ast, D.Mohammad 12+9reb+1ast, G.Yves-Daaboul 10+2reb+2ast, K.Amir 6+7reb+2ast, S.Elias 4+3reb
Anibal: T.Ghassan 13+8reb+2ast, S.Bechara 13+5reb+6ast, H.Turfe 13+4reb+2ast, A.Tannoury 10+4reb, M.Christopher 5+3reb+2ast, A.Tanos Rami 5+1reb+2ast

Champville - Atlas 86-53

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Champville (4-2) crushed 8th ranked Atlas (2-4) in Dik El Mehdi 86-53 on Thursday. Champville outrebounded Atlas 51-30 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Champville made 8 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for the former international forward Patrick Bou Abboud (199-87) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international power forward Marwan Ziadeh (202-87) accounted for 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Five Champville players scored in double figures. Guard Rabih Dib (183-89) came up with 18 points and Joel Abdallah added 9 points, 7 assists and 6 steals respectively for Atlas in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Champville moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Sagesse. Atlas lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with four games lost. Champville will meet Sagesse (#5) in the next round. Atlas will play against Hoops in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Champville: P.Bou Abboud 19+11reb+5ast, R.Akl 17+4reb+3ast, G.Salibi 13+3reb+2ast, M.Ziadeh 12+11reb+2ast, O.Jamaleddine 10+11reb+2ast, M.Martinez 8+1reb+5ast
Atlas: R.Dib 18+3reb+1ast, A.Joel 9+2reb+7ast, A.Sbeity 7+4reb+1ast, B.Elie 6+8reb+2ast, J.Bachour 4+1reb, B.Harfouch 3+6reb+5ast

Byblos - Dynamo 70-109

LBL top team - Dynamo (7-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Byblos (1-6) 109-70. Dynamo players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. It was a great evening for the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-92, college: Rice) who led his team to a victory scoring 41 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. International power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech) helped adding 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Mohamed Skaf responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and forward William Sawan (201-98) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Four Byblos players scored in double figures. 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. Dynamo have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Newly promoted Dynamo maintains first place with 7-0 record. Byblos lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with six games lost. Dynamo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut .
Top scorers:
Dynamo: A.Ibrahim 41+9reb+1ast, M.Haidar 15+7reb+5ast, J.Salem 12+5reb+7ast, A.Tanios 8+4reb, M.Sarkis Lomayo 8+3reb+5ast, J.Assi 7+2reb+1ast
Byblos: S.Mohamed 20+12reb, W.Sawan 15+5reb+2ast, H.Omar El 12+4reb+2ast, B.Bechara 11+3reb+2ast, Z.Elio 6+2reb+1ast, T.Sakr 4+2reb+2ast

Al Riyadi - Hoops 102-69

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#2) and Hoops (#7). Al Riyadi (5-1) crushed visiting Hoops (3-3) by 33 points 102-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoops. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Hoops' players. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Karim Zeinoun (188-99) who helped to win the game recording 39 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The former international swingman Jean Abdel Nour (198-83) contributed with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Abed Sabbagh answered with 17 points and point guard Joseph Zaloum (180-90) added 11 points and 6 assists in the effort for Hoops. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Riyadi have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending champion maintains second place with 5-1 record having just three points less than leader Dynamo, which they share with Beirut Club. Hoops at the other side keep the seventh position with three games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: K.Zeinoun 39+7reb+5ast, A.Saoud 18+1reb+5ast, J.Abdel Nour 17+6reb+6ast, M.Alkhoury 9+2reb+1ast, A.Mansour 8+6reb+11ast, B.Tabbara 3+1reb+1ast
Hoops: S.Abed 17+3reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 11+3reb+6ast, F.Georges 9+6reb+1ast, G.Choueiry 7+3reb+2ast, S.Jason 7+4reb+2ast, K.Aoun 7+2reb+1ast



Tags : KARIM ZEINOUN, SPORTING AL RIYADI BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL