QBL Round 13: Qatar Club lose to Al Rayyan

Mouhammad Faye

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Qatar Club (11-4) in Doha on Thursday night. Hosts were defeated by Al Rayyan (12-3) 74-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Qatar Club. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Rayyan looked well-organized offensively handing out 37 assists. Senegalese power forward Mouhammad Faye (207-1985, college: SMU) fired a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 4 blocks (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American guard Malik Curry (185-1999, college: WVU, agency: Green Sports Management) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 12 steals. Serbian Dejan Janjic (198-1995) produced a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for lost side. Al Rayyan have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Qatar Club at the other side dropped to the third place with four games lost. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Ahli.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Al Sadd (#3) and Al Arabi (#6). Al Sadd (11-3) won against visiting Al Arabi (5-9) 91-85. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 24 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists. Vander Blue contributed with 32 points and 4 assists for the winners. American-Nigerian guard Kelechi Ajukwa (201-1995, college: Charlotte) answered with a triple-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 12 assists for Al Arabi. Defending champion moved-up to second place. Al Arabi lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Al Sadd's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Shamal.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two local teams from Doha: Al Ahli (#5) and Al Gharafa (#6). Al Ahli (7-8) won against visiting Al Gharafa (5-10) 59-53. Stephen Ugochukwu stepped up with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the winners. At the losing side Kenny Brown responded with 25 points and 4 assists. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ahli. They maintain fifth place with 7-8 record. Al Gharafa lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with ten games lost. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Rayyan.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Al Shamal defeated Al Wakrah in Doha 84-76. Bottom-ranked Al Khor was beaten by Al Ahli at home 60-72. Al Wakrah lost to Al Khor on the opponent's court 67-77.