LBL Round 16: Derby game ends with Beirut Club's defeat of Antranik

Coincidentally all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#4) and Antranik (#5). Antranik was smashed at home by 53 points 58-111 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Antranik's 34. They outrebounded Antranik 43-25 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 8 rebounds. Geo Abou Sleiman contributed with 20 points and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Youssef Ghantous (191-1996) replied with 20 points for Antranik. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Beirut Club have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Sagesse. Antranik lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Hoops.

In the last two games of round 16 Sagesse smashed Byblos on the road 89-57. Anibal lost to defending champion Al Riyadi on its own court 60-92.
The most impressive performance of 16th round was 22 points and 17 rebounds by Mark Alkhoury of Al Riyadi.

Byblos - Sagesse 57-89

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Sagesse (10-2) crushed on the road bottom-ranked Byblos (1-12) 89-57 on Saturday. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Byblos' 32. They outrebounded Byblos 58-29 including a 26-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 9 rebounds. The former international power forward Jad Bitar (204-1988) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Mohamed Skaf replied with 11 points and 8 rebounds and Bechara Boustany added 12 points in the effort for Byblos. Five Sagesse and four Byblos players scored in double figures. Sagesse have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 10-2 record behind leader Dynamo, which they share with Al Riyadi and Beirut Club. Byblos lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Anibal.
Top scorers:
Byblos: S.Georges 12+4reb+1ast, B.Bechara 12+3reb+3ast, S.Mohamed 11+8reb, Z.Elio 10+4reb+1ast, W.Sawan 6+6reb+4ast, T.Sakr 2+2reb+5ast
Sagesse: K.Christophe 22+9reb+2ast, J.Bitar 15+15reb+1ast, G.El Beyrouty 14+10reb+1ast, M.Rudy 12+14reb+4ast, M.Khoueiry 12+5reb+2ast, M.Hijazi 11+3reb+8ast

Antranik - Beirut Club 58-111

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#4) and Antranik (#5). Antranik was smashed at home by 53 points 58-111 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Antranik's 34. They outrebounded Antranik 43-25 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 8 rebounds. Geo Abou Sleiman contributed with 20 points and 7 assists for the winners. Four Beirut Club players scored in double figures. Guard Youssef Ghantous (191-1996) replied with 20 points and Amir Kassab added 17 points in the effort for Antranik. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Beirut Club have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Al Riyadi and Sagesse. Antranik lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Hoops.
Top scorers:
Antranik: Y.Ghantous 20+2reb+2ast, K.Amir 17+1reb, S.Elias 8+6reb, J.Jarrouge 4+2reb+1ast, G.Yves-Daaboul 4+2reb+2ast, L.Salha 3+2reb+3ast
Beirut Club: G.Hadidian 26+8reb, A.Sleiman Geo 20+2reb+7ast, M.Mneimneh 12+3reb+1ast, S.El Darwich 11+5reb+8ast, H.Gyokchyan 11+8reb+5ast, K.Karl 9+1reb

Anibal - Al Riyadi 60-92

Very expected game when 10th ranked Anibal (1-12) was smashed by fourth ranked Al Riyadi (10-2) in Zahle 92-60 on Monday. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Anibal's 40. They outrebounded Anibal 49-36 including 17 on the offensive glass. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Anibal's players. It was a very good performance for the former international swingman Mark Alkhoury (196-1998) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 17 rebounds. International guard Karim Zeinoun (188-1999) contributed with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winners. American point guard Hamoudy Turfe (183, college: UM-Dearborn) replied with 16 points and Ghassan Tacca added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Anibal. Anibal's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Al Riyadi have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club and Sagesse. Anibal lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Byblos.
Top scorers:
Anibal: H.Turfe 16+3reb+2ast, T.Ghassan 12+9reb, A.Tannoury 9+6reb+1ast, A.Tanos Rami 8+4reb+4ast, M.Christopher 6+5reb+1ast, S.Bechara 4+2reb+2ast
Al Riyadi: K.Zeinoun 29+6reb+7ast, M.Alkhoury 22+17reb+3ast, B.Tabbara 15+4reb+2ast, M.Abi-Kheres 8+3reb+2ast, J.Aby Khers 6+10reb+2ast, A.Saoud 6+6reb+6ast



Tags : GERARD HADIDIAN, BEIRUT CLUB, LEBANESE BASKETBALL