BASKETBALL – Bahrain fell to a disheartening 77-90 loss to the UAE last night in the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
The Bahrainis gave up 32 points in the third quarter – including a game-changing 0-22 run – to allow the hosts to blow a close game wide open at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.
The nationals fell behind by as many as 25 points in the concluding half but valiantly tried to fight back in the fourth quarter, although could not get any closer than nine points.
Bahrain suffered their second loss after four games in this stage of qualification. Yesterday’s clash was the return affair between the two Gulf teams. The Emiratis claimed their first win of this stage and avenged their loss in their previous meeting, held in the kingdom earlier this year.
Despite the setback, the Bahrainis remained in position to secure a place in next year’s Fiba Asia Cup. They are second on the Group F table behind undefeated Lebanon, who beat Syria 89-64 in yesterday’s other divisional clash, also held in Dubai. Syria and the UAE complete the standings in third and fourth place, respectively.
There are 24 teams, divided into six groups, in this phase of the Fiba Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. Following a double round-robin, the top two from each book their tickets to next year’s continental showcase, while the six third-placed sides will play another competition to determine four final places.
In last night’s encounter, Bahrain trailed 15-20 at the end of the first quarter but narrowed the deficit to 34-36 at the half. It was downhill from there, however, as the UAE went on a stunning 22-0 rally in just five minutes, sparked by a Rashed Alzaabi three-pointer, to turn a slim 42-39 lead to a commanding 64-39 advantage.
They never looked back and headed into the final frame up 68-46. Although Bahrain outscored the hosts by nine, 31-22, in the period, the result was never in doubt the rest of the way.
Mustafa Hussain top scored for Bahrain with 18 points in the loss while Wayne Chism added 17 to go with 18 rebounds. Ahmed Salman was their only other player in double figures with 15.
Hamid Albreiki led a balanced attack for the UAE with 19 points, while Qais Omar Alshabebi and DeMarco Dickerson scored 16 apiece. Alzaabi and Mamadou Ndiaye had 12 each in the win.
Bahrain have two games remaining in this stage of Fiba Asia Cup 2025 qualification. Both will both be played next year. They host Lebanon on February 21 at home and then take on Syria away on February 24.
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