MUHARRAQ and Al Hala face off tonight in the third and decisive game of their best-of-three play-off series for a spot in the Golden Square semi-finals of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Al Hala won game one 75-72 but Muharraq bounced back to take game two 95-87 to force this evening’s winner-take-all affair.
The game is scheduled for a 7pm tip-off. It will be played at Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam.
Muharraq will be relying heavily on their star Bahraini backcourt of Ahmed Hassan and Bader Abdulla Malabes, as well as key contributors Ali Shukrallah, Ali Abbas and newly signed versatile forward Mohammed Buallay. American professional Arnett Moultrie, another recent signing, will be heavily depended on in the paint.
Al Hala will be riding the big, broad shoulders of seven-foot, two-inch former centre Loren Woods from the US. The former NBA veteran has been their team’s most reliable and consistent player all season, and he will need to have a big game in order for Hala to progress.
Also expected to make key contributions for Hala are Bahrainis Hasan Gerashi, Ali Jaffar, Mahmood Abbas and Hussain Salman.
Tonight’s winner will join defending champions Manama, Al Ahli and Riffa in the Golden Square.