LBL Round 3 (Second Stage): Hoops are defeated by Sagesse

Kerwin Roach II

There are only two more rounds left in the Second Stage in LBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of Hoops (2-2) in Beirut on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Sagesse (4-0) 98-77. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sagesse made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) helped adding 5 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists. The best for the losing side was American guard Roosevelt Scott (193, college: Central Mo.) with 29 points and 8 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. Sagesse are looking forward to face Champville (#4) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Hoops' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Dynamo (#1) and Homentmen (#3). Homentmen was crushed at home by 20 points 77-97 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-1996) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Marlon Johnson accounted for 23 points and 6 rebounds. American guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) came up with 18 points for Homentmen in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dynamo will play against Liders (#4) in the next round. Homentmen will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of Beirut Club (2-2) against Sagesse (4-0) on Saturday night. Visiting Beirut Club was crushed by Sagesse in Beirut 91-69. The best player for the winners was Sergio El Darwich who scored 31 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Mohamad Haidar who recorded 15 points and 7 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Sagesse will meet at home Champville (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 3: winless Liders lost to undefeated Al Riyadi on the opponent's court 99-107. Winless Liders lost to undefeated Al Riyadi in a home game 71-92. Beirut Club rolled over Champville on the road 104-52.