Round 12 (Regular Season): Shabab Al Ahli lose to Al-Manama

The Regular Season in West Asia Super League just ended. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Manama. Top-ranked Bahrain host Al-Manama (6-0) defeated second-best UAE Shabab Al Ahli (3-3) 78-74. Al-Manama looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al-Manama made 8 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Shabab Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman SirDominic Pointer (198-1992, college: St.John's) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks and point guard Ahmed Haji (175-1994) who added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Nick Minnerath (207-1988, college: Detroit) with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Undefeated Al-Manama have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending Bahrain champion maintains first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Gorgan. Defending UAE champion Shabab Al Ahli keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kuwait City. Third ranked Kuwaiti host Kazma (3-3) smashed 4th ranked Qatari Al Shamal (0-6) 119-62. The winners were led by American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and Ahmad Albaloushi supported him with 23 points and 11 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Kazma's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook) did not help to save the game for Al Shamal. Kazma moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Shamal at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. They share the position with Al Naft.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Beirut. Top-ranked Lebanese host Al Riyadi (4-0) smashed second-best Iraqi Al Shurtah (1-3) 120-90. The best player for the winners was Elmedin Kikanovic who scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Lamont Jones who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Al Riyadi have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 4-0 record. Loser Al Shurtah keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Wahda.

Group Gulf

Al-Manama - Shabab Al Ahli 78-74

The game between Top Four teams took place in Manama. Top-ranked Bahrain host Al-Manama (6-0) defeated second-best UAE Shabab Al Ahli (3-3) 78-74. Al-Manama looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al-Manama made 8 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Shabab Al Ahli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman SirDominic Pointer (198-1992, college: St.John's) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks and point guard Ahmed Haji (175-1994) who added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Five Al-Manama players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Nick Minnerath (207-1988, college: Detroit) with 26 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) scored 22 points and 4 assists. Al-Manama have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending Bahrain champion maintains first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Gorgan. Defending UAE champion Shabab Al Ahli keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
Top scorers:
Al-Manama: A.Haji 15+6reb+4ast, S.Pointer 13+12reb+4ast, C.Clark 12+7reb+2ast, T.Thibodeaux 11+5reb+3ast, H.Nawrooz 10+5reb+1ast, M.Hamooda 10+6reb+2ast
Shabab Al Ahli: N.Minnerath 26+6reb+1ast, C.Lewis 22+4reb+4ast, Q.Alshabebi 12+15reb+1ast, M.Alajmani 6+5reb+3ast, B.Assane 5+3reb+1ast, S.Alajmani 3+2reb+6ast

Kazma - Al Shamal 119-62

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kuwait City. Third ranked Kuwaiti host Kazma (3-3) smashed 4th ranked Qatari Al Shamal (0-6) 119-62. Kazma dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Al Shamal's 18. They outrebounded Al Shamal 55-29 including a 44-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kazma players were unselfish on offense dishing 35 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Al Shamal's players. The winners were led by American power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 26 points and 19 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and point guard Ahmad Albaloushi (182-1990) supported him with 23 points and 11 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Kazma players scored in double figures. Kazma's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Nigerian point guard Uchenna Iroegbu (183-1996, college: Stony Brook) did not help to save the game for Al Shamal. Point guard Mohammed Al-Malki (182-2003) added 17 points and 9 rebounds. Kazma moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Shamal at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. They share the position with Al Naft.
Top scorers:
Kazma: C.Chapman 26+19reb+1ast, A.Albaloushi 23+3reb+11ast, A.Abdulaziz 21+3reb+1ast, T.Leslie 16+8reb+5ast, A.Hamad 10+1reb+1ast, Y.Abdallah 7+3reb+2ast
Al Shamal: U.Iroegbu 25+5reb+5ast, A.Fadi 17+5reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 17+9reb+1ast, A.Malki Mohammed 3, A.Jassim 0+2reb, M.Talla 0+6reb+3ast

Group West Asia

Al Riyadi - Al Shurtah 120-90

The game between Top Four teams took place in Beirut. Top-ranked Lebanese host Al Riyadi (4-0) smashed second-best Iraqi Al Shurtah (1-3) 120-90. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to Al Shurtah's 62. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Al Shurtah's players. The best player for the winners was Bosnian center Elmedin Kikanovic (211-1988) who scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Hayk Gyokchyan (203-1990, college: F&M) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American Lamont Jones (183-1990, college: Iona, agency: Diamond Sports) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists and American-Armenian point guard Terry Smith (185-1986, college: Mercyhurst) added 24 points and 6 assists respectively. Al Riyadi have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Lebanese champion maintains first position with 4-0 record. Loser Al Shurtah keeps the second place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Wahda.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: E.Kikanovic 25+8reb+4ast, S.Sakakini 18+2reb+4ast, B.Tabbara 18+6reb, A.Saoud 15+1reb+4ast, H.Gyokchyan 14+6reb+5ast, M.Harris 13+7reb
Al Shurtah: L.Jones 33+2reb+4ast, T.Smith 24+4reb+6ast, A.Mohammed 16+5reb, H.Talib 8+4reb, A.Ismael 6+6reb+3ast, H.Abdullah 3+3reb