FIBA West Asia Super League:
Tabiat runner-up as Al Riyadi secures back-to-back titles
Iran’s Tabiat Eslamshahr settled for a runner-up finish at the FIBA West Asia Super League after suffering a 104-77 defeat against Al Riyadi Club Beirut in Sunday’s final showpiece in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon.
Already the reigning three-time West Asia League champion, the Lebanese powerhouse refused to stop there and went on to secure the pan-regional competition’s ultimate prize for the second year in a row.
No other team in this league had been able to accomplish what it has done and the Lebanese club made it look so easy as Al Riyadi went on a 13-game unbeaten run to lift the trophy, including a five-game sweep of the Final 8.
“This is a great achievement for Lebanese basketball,” said Al Riyadi head coach Ahmad Farran. “Back-to-back champions. We are proud. And we are still hungry. We’re looking forward to achieving more.”
Wael Arakji, who went on to pick up the Most Valuable Player prize of the tournament, led the way in the victory with 28 points and six assists, scoring 12 of his output in the opening frame alone to help his side overcome a tepid start and seize control of the contest.
Riyadi was staring at a one-point deficit but the lefty guard swished in one of his six three-pointers for the go-ahead bucket, which ignited what would be a 15-0 run toward a 26-12 lead at the end of the period.
His solid start seemingly rubbed off on his teammates, with Amir Saoud and Thon Maker taking turns in leading their second-quarter surge that saw the squad inflate the lead to 53-32 with 1:25 left before the break.
There was hardly any let-up from then on, and the game would become a one-sided show in Riyadi’s favor – much to the joy of Lebanese supporters that trooped to the venue to witness a coronation at home.
Marcus Georges-Hunt also played a crucial part in the win with 24 points and five rebounds, while Last year’s MVP Thon Maker finished with 20 points, and nine rebounds, with Saoud supplying 13 points and six assists off the bench.
Tabiat, on the other hand, was led by Croatian center Ivan Buva, who registered 15 points and five rebounds as the Iranian club achieved a highest finish for the country in the WASL history.
Sina Vahedi had 14 points. Amir Qolizadeh scored 12, while Perry Petty and Arman Zangeneh added 11 each.
Al Riyadi and Tabiat will now turn their attention to the Basketball Champions League Asia in June 9, with the former defending its title at the flagship club competition in the continent.