WABA Champions Cup (2008)

WABA Standings
Group A
1. Saba 3-0
2. Petrochimi 2-1
3. Orthodox 1-2
4. Al Ahli 0-3
Group B
1. Al Riyadi 3-0
2. Zain 2-1
3. Ittihad 1-2
4. Al Hilla 0-3


Al Riyadi Wins The West Asian Super League (WABA) over Saba 2007-2008

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon)


Abou Chakra


Turk


Mahmoud


Mneimneh


El Khatib


Tawbe

10

Moneim Ahmed 205 (6'9'') C 76

8

Turk Omar 186 (6'1'') G 81

6

Mahmoud Ali 182 (6'0'') G 83

4

Mneimneh Mazen 192 (6'4'') G 86

9

El Khatib Fadi 197 (6'6'') F 79

21

Akiki Ramy 186 (6'1'') G 82

55

Tawbe Hussein 198 (6'6'') F 82

13

Hijazi Abdullah 190 (6'3'') F/G 82

14

Hamdar Mohamad 202 (6'8'') C 88

15

Vogel Joe 211 (6'11'') C 73

12

Fakhreddine Ali 202 (6'8'') C 83

5

Hantas Mohammad 194 (6'5'') F 80

7

Akkad Mohamad 192 (6'4'') G 88
Head Coach: Fouad Abou Chakra

  Al Riyadi Beirut - Champions of WABA for Clubs 2008  - Mar. 15, 2008 
- Final Game:

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 83 - Saba Battery (IRI) 82 (Qs: 17-18, 32-35, 57-56, 77-77 & OT: 83-82)

# Best performance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) (24 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast)
Omar Turk (186-G-81, college: Dawson Coll.) (19 pts, 3 stl, 7 reb)
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (17 pts, 4 ast)
Joe Vogel (211-C-73, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Colorado St.) (14 pts, 13 reb) 'Scored the winner 2pts of Riyadi'
* Saba Battery:
Hamed Eslamieh (189-G-83) (23 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl)
Omar Sneed (203-F/C-76, college: Memphis) (17 pts, 3 stl, 9 reb)
Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) (14 pts, 5 ast)
Hamed Hadadi (218-C-85, agency: Huss Sport Agency) (14 pts, 14 reb)

- Third place game:

Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 70 - Zain (JOR) 60 (Qs: 18-17, 33-27, 52-43 & 70-60)

# Best performance:
* Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Tony Madison (190-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) (23 pts, 5 ast)
Javad Davari (185-G-83) (19 pts, 4 ast, 7 reb)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (12 pts, 4 stl, 2 ast)
* Zain:
Islam Abbas (201-C-80) (21 pts, 2 stl)
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (14 pts, 20 reb)

- Fifth place game:

Orthodox (JOR) 70 - Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR) 66 (Qs: 20-17, 40-35, 57-48 & 70-66)

# Best performance:
* Orthodox:
Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81, agency: 011 Sports, college: Harding) (20 pts, 2 stl)
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (16 pts, 18 reb)
* Al Ittihad Aleppo:
Jay Joseph (193-G-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: NC-Greensboro) (24 pts)
Tyrone Washington (208-C/F-76, agency: Interperformances, college: Mississippi St.) (14 pts, 13 reb)


  Semi Final - WABA for Clubs 2008  - Mar. 13, 2008 
Saba Battery (IRI) 112 - Zain (JOR) 77 (Qs: 23-30, 54-47, 82-60 & 112-77)

# Best performance:
* Saba Battery:
Omar Sneed (203-F/C-76, college: Memphis) (36 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl)
Hamed Eslamieh (189-G-83) (23 pts, 9 reb, 2 stl)
Hamed Hadadi (218-C-85, agency: Huss Sport Agency) (10 pts, 15 reb, 3 bs, 5 ast)
* Zain:
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) (20 pts, 2 stl)
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (12 pts, 8 reb)
Moussa Al Awadi (190-G/F-85) (12 pts)

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 73 - Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 61 (Qs: 16-17, 32-27, 55-42 & 73-61)

# Best performance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (25 pts, 4 stl, 7 reb)
Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) (16 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl)
Joe Vogel (211-C-73, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Colorado St.) (14 pts, 12 reb, 3 stl)
* Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Tony Madison (190-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) (32 pts, 2 stl,6 reb)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (21 pts, 14 reb, 5 bs)

# Final, 3rd place game & 5th place game - WABA for Clubs 2008:
* Saturday 15/2:
Final ------> Saba Battery (IRI) - Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB)
3rd place --> Zain (JOR) - Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI)
5th place --> Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR) - Orthodox (JOR)

* Thanks to Safa-Ali Kamalian and his weblog for providing stats...


  Quarter Finals - WABA for Clubs 2008  - Mar. 12, 2008 
Saba Battery (IRI) 122 - Al Hilla (IRQ) 55 (Qs: 37-12, 61-22, 89-31 & 122-55!!!)

# Best perfromance:
* Saba Battery:
Ali Baheran (186-G-86) (17 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl)
Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) (16 pts, 3 ast, 7 reb)
Hamed Hadadi (218-C-85, agency: Huss Sport Agency) (15 pts, 7 reb)
Kamran Jamshidvand (187-F-80) (15 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast)
* Al Hilla (IRQ):
Mustafa Hamzah (180-G-85) (21 pts, 8 stl)
Leigh Gayden (170-G-80, college: Tennessee Tech) (14 pts, 2 ast)

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 94 - Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM) 61 (Qs: 29-23, 58-32, 71-50 & 94-61)

# Best performance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Mazen Mneimneh (192-G-86) (18 pts, 2 ast, 3 bs)
Ali Fakhreddine (202-C-83) (15 pts, 2 stl, 25 reb!!!!)
Omar Turk (186-G-81, college: Dawson Coll.) (13 pts, 3 ast)
* Al Ahli Sanaa:
Taha Alassari (180-G/F-84, college: Fredonia St.) (18 pts, 3 stl, 2 ast)
Sulaiman Diop (200-C-88) (17 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl)

Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 77 - Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR) 59 (Qs: 19-16, 41-38, 60-49 & 77-59)

# Best performance:
* Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Javad Davari (185-G-83) (24 pts, 5 ast, 5 stl)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (16 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl)
Tony Madison (190-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) (12 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl, 8 reb)
* Al Ittihad Aleppo:
Tyrone Washington (208-C/F-76, agency: Interperformances, college: Mississippi St.) (14 pts, 10 reb, 2 stl)
Jay Joseph (193-G-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: NC-Greensboro) (11 pts)
Amro Hamwi (187-G-80) (9 pts)

Zain (JOR) 71 - Orthodox (JOR) 63 (Qs: 10-22, 25-38, 45-55 & 71-63)

# Best performance:
* Zain:
Zaid Al Khas (205-C-76, college: Gannon) (23 pts, 8 reb)
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) (16 pts, 2 ast, 2 stl)
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (15 pts, 14 reb, 2 ast, 2 bs)
* Orthodox:
Ayman Idais (205-C-78, agency: Court Side) (16 pts, 12 reb, 2 stl)
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (14 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast)
Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81, agency: 011 Sports, college: Harding) (14 pts, 4 ast)

# Semi Finals - WABA for Clubs 2008:
* Thursday 13/3:
Saba Battery (IRI) - Zain (JOR)
Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) - Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB)


  Day 3 - WABA for Clubs 2008  - Mar. 11, 2008 
Orthodox (JOR) 79 - Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM) 56 (Qs: 18-16, 42-26, 60-36 & 79-56)

# Best performance:
* Orthodox:
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (16 pts)
Ayman Idais (205-C-78, agency: Court Side) (15 pts, 9 reb)
Naser Bassam (198-G/F-76) (12 pts, 5 ast)
* Al Ahli Sanaa:
Taha Alassari (180-G/F-84, college: Fredonia St.) (21 pts)
Sabri Sadaqah (188-F-89) (13 pts)
Ahmed Abdulghafor (200-C-88) (10 pts)

Zain (JOR) 74 - Al Hilla (IRQ) 69 (Qs: 20-15, 48-26, 55-48 & 74-69)

# Best performance:
* Zain:
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (21 pts, 11 reb)
Zaid Al Khas (205-C-76, college: Gannon) (18 pts, 9 reb)
Moussa Al Awadi (190-G/F-85) (14 pts)
* Al Hilla:
Mustafa Hamza (187-G-87) (17 pts, 5 stl)
Leigh Gayden (170-G-80, college: Tennessee Tech) (20 pts)
Rahman Ahmad (14 pts, 8 reb)

Saba Battery (IRI) 79 - Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 59 (Qs: 19-16, 39-33, 62-47 & 79-59)

# Best perfromance:
* Saba Battery:
Omar Sneed (203-F/C-76, college: Memphis) (25 pts, 11 reb, 6 stl)
Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) (13 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast)
Karam Ahmadian (197-F-77) (12 pts)
* Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Tony Madison (197-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) (17 pts)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (10 pts, 10 reb)
Mojtaba Bordbar (202-F-84) (12 pts)

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 96 - Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR) 70 (Qs: 24-18, 45-32, 71-49 & 96-70)

# Best perfromance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (32 pts)
Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) (16 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast)
Joe Vogel (211-C-73, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Colorado St.) (12 pts, 8 reb)
* Al Ittihad Aleppo:
Jay Joseph (193-G-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: NC-Greensboro) (17 pts)
Tyrone Washington (208-C/F-76, agency: Interperformances, college: Mississippi St.) (14 pts, 8 reb)
Amir Hasan (193-G) (12 pts)

# Groups standings:
* Group A:
Saba Battery 3-0
Petrochimi Imam Harbour 2-1
Orthodox 1-2
Al Ahli Sanaa 0-3
* Group B:
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut 3-0
Zain 2-1
Al Ittihad Aleppo 1-2
Al Hilla 0-3

# Quarterfinal games:
* Wednesday 12-3:
Saba Battery - Al Hilla
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut - Al Ahli Sanaa
Petrochimi Imam Harbour - Al Ittihad
Zain - Orthodox


  Day 2 - WABA for Clubs 2008 - Mar. 10, 2008 
Saba Battery (IRI) 109 - Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM) 60 (Qs: 32-14, 54-27, 94-44 & 109-60)

# Best performance:
* Saba Battery:
Karam Ahmadian (197-F-77) (18 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast)
Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) (16 pts, 3 stl)
Kamran Jamshidvand (187-F-79) (15 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl)
* Al Ahli Sanaa:
Taha Alassari (180-G-84, college: Fredonia St.) (23 pts, 2 ast)
Sulaiman Diop (203-F-88) (14 pts, 10 reb)
Ahmed Abdulghafor (-88) (10 pts)

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 110 - Al Hilla (IRQ) 55 (Qs: 33-17, 60-30, 93-40 & 110-55)

# Best performance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Mazen Mneimneh (192-G-86) (29 pts, 2 ast, 8 reb)
Ramy Akiki (186-G-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Cypress JC) (20 pts)
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (17 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast)
* Al Hilla:
Mustafa Hamza (187-G-87) (19 pts, 2 ast, 6 stl)
Maytham Jameel (14 pts, 7 reb)

Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 84 - Orthodox (JOR) 79 (Qs: 24-21, 36-37, 53-58 & 84-79)

# Best perfromance:
* Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Tony Madison (197-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) (29 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl!!)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (24 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl)
Reza Hengampour (196-F) (11 pts, 3 ast)
* Orthodox:
Ayman Idais (205-C-78, agency: Court Side) (31 pts, 16 reb, 2 ast)
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (17 pts, 13 reb, 3 stl)
Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81, agency: 011 Sports, college: Harding) (12 pts, 4 ast)

Zain (JOR) 71 - Al Ittihad Aleppo 70 (2 Overtimes!!! - Qs: 16-12, 20-20, 30-33, 51-51, OT1: 62-62 & OT2: 71-70!!!)

# Best performance:
* Zain:
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) (31 pts, 7 reb, 4 stl)
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (15 pts, 8 reb, 4 bs)
Zaid Al Khas (205-C-76, college: Gannon) (14 pts, 10 reb)
* Al Ittihad Aleppo:
Salah Shawa (198-F-79) (22 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl)
Ali Diarbakrly (180-G-82) (18 pts, 5 ast, 2 stl)
Firas Al Masri (195-F-83) (10 pts, 8 reb)

# Groups standings:
* Group A:
1- Saba Battery 2-0
2- Petrochimi Imam Harbour 2-0
3- Orthodox 0-2
4- Al Ahli Sanaa 0-2
* Group B:
1- Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut 2-0
2- Al Ittihad Aleppo 1-1
3- Zain 1-1
4- Al Hilla 0-2

# Day 3 - WABA for Clubs 2008:

- Tuesday 11-3:
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut X Al Ittihad
Al Hilla X Zain
Petrochimi Imam Harbour X Saba Battery
Orthodox X Al Ahli Sanaa

* Credits must be given to Safa Kamalian for his big help


  Day 1 - WABA for Clubs 2008 (9 - 15 March) - Mar. 9, 2008 
Saba Battery (IRI) 89 - Orthodox (JOR) 65 (Qs: 24-14, 42-27, 67-43 & 89-65)

# Best performance:
* Saba Battery:
Omar Sneed (198-F-76, college: Memphis) (22 pts, 6 ast)
Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) (14 pts, 2 stl, 3 ast)
Hamed Afagh (189-G-83) (13 pts)
* Orthodox:
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (18 pts, 9 reb)
Ayman Idais (205-C-78, agency: Court Side) (11 pts, 9 reb)
Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81, agency: 011 Sports, college: Harding) (11 pts, 5 ast)

Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) 101 - Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM) 65 (Qs: 30-16, 56-23, 78-42 & 101-65)

# Best perfromance:
*Petrochimi Imam Harbour:
Ali Abolmasoumi (195-F-81) (19 pts, 2 ast)
Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) (12 pts, 8 reb)
Mojtaba Bordbar (202-F-84) (12 pts, 8 reb)
* Al Ahli Sanaa:
Taha Alassari (180-G-84, college: Fredonia St.) (25 pts, 3 ast)
Ahmed Abdulghafor (15 pts, 7 reb)
Salim Sadaqah (11 pts)

Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR) 70 - Al Hilla (IRQ) 60 (Qs: 13-12, 38-34, 58-46 & 70-60)

# Best performance:
* Al Ittihad Aleppo:
Firas Al Masri (195-F-83) (16 pts, 8 reb)
Omar Kassas (186-G-79) (15 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl)
Amro Hamwi (184-G-80) (10 pts, 4 ast)
* Al Hilla:
M Hamzah (20 pts, 6 stl, 3 ast)
Leigh Gayden (178-G-80, college: Tennessee Tech) (10 pts, 3 ast)
M Gbayan (11 pts, 10 reb)

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 66 - Zain 65 (Qs: 22-22, 35-38, 48-51 & 66-65)

# Best perfromance:
* Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (33 pts)
Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) (12 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast)
* Zain:
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) (19 pts, 7 reb, 4 stl, 3 ast)
Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) (16 pts, 13 reb)
Islam Abbas (201-C-80) (8 pts, 12 reb)

# Day 2 - WABA for Clubs
- Monday 10-3:
Al Ahli Sanaa X Saba Battery
Al Hilla X Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Petrochimi Imam Harbour X Orthodox


  WABA for Clubs 2008 Draw  - Mar. 8, 2008 
The draw of the West Asian Clubs Championship (9 - 15 March) were made today in Mahasher the city of the hosts Petrochimi Imam Harbour of Iran ....

# Groups:
- Group A:
Saba Battery (IRI)
Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI)
OrthodoxJOR)
Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM)
- Group B:
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB)
Zain (JOR)
Al Hilla (IRQ)
Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR)

# Games Schedule:
- Sunday 9-3:
Saba Battery X Orthodox
Al Ahli Sanaa X Petrochimi Imam Harbour
Al Ittihad X Al Hilla
Zain X Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
- Monday 10-3:
Al Ahli Sanaa X Saba Battery
Al Hilla X Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
Petrochimi Imam Harbour X Orthodox
Al Ittihad X Zain
- Tuesday 11-3:
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut X Al Ittihad
Al Hilla X Zain
Petrochimi Imam Harbour X Saba Battery
Orthodox X Al Ahli Sanaa
- Wednesday 12-3 (Quarter-finals):
1st A X 4th B
2nd A X 3rd B
3rd A X 2nd B
4th A X 1st B
- Thursday 13-3 (Semi-Finals)
- Friday 14-3 (Rest)
- Saturday 15-4 (Final + Places Games)


  WABA for Clubs 2008 (Iran 6 - 19 March)  - Mar. 7, 2008 
The West Asian Basketball Championship for clubs will begin next sunday under the host of Petrochimi Imam Harbour club of Iran and will resume until of March, Three teams from different countries will qualify to Asian Clubs Championship in Kwuait next may.

8 Teams from 6 countries will participate in this tournament, They will be divided into two groups in the draw which will be made tomorrow.....

- The participating teams are:
Petrochimi Imam Harbour (IRI) - Hosts
Saba Battery (IRI)
Zain (JOR)
Orthodox (JOR)
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB)
Al Ittihad Aleppo (SYR)
Al Ahli Sanaa (YEM)
Al Hilla (IRQ)

Petrochimi Imam Harbour will have the services of their rival team Mahram's imports Tony Madison (197-G-71, agency: China-Hoop, college: New Orleans) and Art Long (206-F/C-73, college: Cincinnati) with the coach Mustafa Hashemi , While Saba Battery will be forced to change their injured point guard Makan Dioumassi (191-G-72) with the american guard Mike Jones (196-G-75, college: TCU) who was one of the best imports in the Iranian league, The team's second import is the giant Garth Joseph (217-C-73, college: St.Rose (NY)).

While the jordanian teams are also ready for the championship, Orthodox is coming to iran with a full roster adding to two good imports (Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81, agency: 011 Sports, college: Harding) and Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis)), From the other side, Zain will loose the abilities of 3 of their stars due to injuries (Rasheim Wright (193-G-81, college: District of Col.), Sam Daghlas (197-G-79, college: Midwestern St.) and Enver Soobzokov (193-G/F-78, college: Cal.St.-San Bernar.)) but there are still some good weapons in Maz Trakh 's hands such as the imports Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) and Soumaila Samake (215-C-78, agency: CAA Sports) alongside with Moussa Al Awadi (190-G/F-85), Zaid Al Khas (205-C-76, college: Gannon) and Islam Abbas (201-C-80) who will play with the team in this tourney.

Al Ittihad of Syria and Al Riyadi of lebanon prepared themselves very well to fight for a place in Kuwait, As for syrians, Tyrone Washington (208-C/F-76, agency: Interperformances, college: Mississippi St.) was the latest add to the team who will also have Jay Joseph (193-G-82, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: NC-Greensboro) and other good locals who are willing to help the team to acheive their goal leaded by Salah Shawa (198-F-79), Ali Diarbakrly (180-G-82) and Firas Al Masri (195-F-83), While Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) and the egyption pharo Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) will lead the lebanese roster with very talented players and fighters in the field.