BASKETBALL – UNDEFEATED Bahrain grinded out a hard-earned 77-71 victory over the UAE yesterday to register their fifth win in as many games in the 44th William Jones Cup, currently being held in Chinese Taipei.
The Bahrainis raced out to a scintillating start at Xinzhuang Gymnasium in New Taipei City, going up 16-1 in the opening period. But the Emiratis roared back and stayed within striking distance until the very end, when the nationals came up with the big plays to emerge triumphant.
After the UAE got to within two late in the final canto, star guard Mustafa Hussain buried two crucial free-throws for a 75-71 edge. JaKarr Sampson then had a crucial block on the other end that forced a shot clock violation on their Gulf rivals. Sampson then put the game away with 25.7 seconds remaining following an emphatic slam dunk off a fine Hussain bounce pass and after a critical Ali Jaber offensive rebound.
Hussain and Sampson were Bahrain’s chief protagonists in the contest, combining for 49 points. Hussain continued his sensational form in the tournament as he top scored with 31, including five three-pointers, while Sampson added 18 and also posted 14 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.
Bahrain enjoyed win number five following triumphs against the development teams of Japan and Chinese Taipei, Malaysia’s national team, and Australia United.
They have three fixtures to play – first against Qatar’s B team today at 10am, Bahrain time. They then play Chinese Taipei’s national team tomorrow at 2pm, and then face off with defending champions Strong Group Athletics of the Philippines on Saturday in their concluding fixture, scheduled for a 10am tip-off. Both times are also Bahrain.
In yesterday’s other games, Malaysia beat Japan’s development team 64-61, Strong Group Athletics outclassed Australia United 91-75, and Chinese Taipei’s development team defeated the Qatari B squad 72-61.
The William Jones Cup is one of the most highly reputed and popular international basketball tournaments in Asia. Bahrain are competing in the event for the second time in its history, following their debut over four decades ago in the 1978 edition.
In yesterday’s affair, Ahmed Bindayneh scored five unanswered points to help the Bahrainis take a commanding 16-1 lead in the first quarter, which they ended with a 24-9 cushion.
The Emiratis gradually chipped away at the deficit in the second and got to within single digits. They reduced Bahrain’s lead to just three, 28-25, but Hussain replied from beyond the arc to help keep the nationals in front 39-29 at the interval.
After the re-start, the UAE continued to fight and made it 44-45. But Hussain had an answer yet again, scoring with a driving lay-up and then a step-back triple to make it 50-44, and Mohammed Buallay later banked in a basket in transition.
The Emiratis would not go away, however, and they were down just 54-56 heading into the final frame. There, Hussain had a key triple to build a 66-61 gap, and a Wayne Chism lay-up made it 71-67. That helped set the stage for the tight finish, with the Bahrainis showing their poise and execution in the clutch.
Hussain and Sampson were the nationals’ only players in double figures, but Chism added eight points and 18 rebounds, while Bindayneh had five. Subah Hussain chipped in with four points, and Jaber finished with three.
Demarco Christion Dickerson was the leading scorer for the UAE with 19, while Omar Khalid Alameri had 16 in the losing effort. The Emiratis remained winless after their five outings so far.
This year’s William Jones Cup is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))