DEFENDING champions Manama take on Al Hala in the first match of the Bahrain Basketball League Golden Square Competition tonight at 7pm at Khalifa Sports City Hall in Isa Town.
This is a best of three series and the winner will qualify for the final. Muharraq and Al Ahli will contest the other semi-final tomorrow at same time and venue.
Manama qualified for the Golden Square topping the Top Six competition with 10 points. They defeated all the remaining five teams in the Top Six - Muharraq, Al Ahli, Al Hala, Nuwaidrat and Al Najma.
Manama have also remained undefeated in the league championship and are looking to retain the title after losing the Khalifa bin Salman Cup to Muharraq earlier this season.
The team is coached by Serbian Dragan and their key players are Mohammed Hussain, Ahmed Aziz, Mohammed Kuwayed, Younis Kuwayed, Mohammed Qurban, Maytham Jameel, Ahmed Najaf and Mohammed Ameer and the Georgian giant Nicoloz.
Al Hala finished fourth in the Top Six with two wins against Al Najma and Nuwaidrat. The team is coached by national coach Ahmed Jan, who faces a tough task tonight having lost to Manama twice this season.
Al Hala’s key players are Ahmed Jamal, Hassan Gerashi, Hussain Salman, Mahmoud Abbas, Yasser Bu Nafour and American Lorn Woods.