BASKETBALL – HOLDERS Muharraq took game one of their best-of-three semi-final series against Al Ahli last night in the 2025-26 Khalifa Bin Salman Cup basketball tournament, currently being played with no fans in attendance at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
Muharraq took control of the contest at the end of the first quarter and held off a furious Ahli rally late on to come away with a 93-87 victory and move one win away from advancing to the title-deciding contest.
The competition’s defending champions built leads as big as 27 points but were made to sweat in the final frame, with talented Bahraini guard Hesham Sarhan spearheading a spirited Ahli fightback during which they outscored their rivals by 10, 27-17, in the period.
But Muharraq held on and will now be looking to complete a sweep of their semis clash when they return to the hardwood against Ahli on Saturday at 10.30pm. Game three, if needed, will be held on Wednesday next week at 8.30pm.
The other Khalifa bin Salman Cup final four match-up is between Manama and Al Najma. They played the first game of their best-of-three late last night, missing our deadlines. Game two of their series is also set for Saturday, and the third game, if required, on Wednesday.
In Muharraq’s triumph yesterday, they went on a momentum-shifting 15-3 run to end the opening period and build a 25-16 lead. They then erupted for 33 points in the second as they stretched their advantage to 58-32 at the half. Muharraq maintained their strong play in the third where a Kris Clyburn lay-up made it 67-40 for their biggest lead of the night.
But Ahli slowly began chipping away at the deficit and trailed by just 16, 60-76, heading into the last canto. There, they stayed resilient and an Anthony Fairley slam dunk brought them to within single digits, 81-89, with three-and-a-half minutes still to play. Six straight points from Sarhan then made it a two-possession game for Ahli at 87-91.
There were only 24 seconds remaining, however, and Ali Hussain was able to ice the contest with two free-throws and 11 seconds on the clock.
Nick West was Muharraq’s leading scorer with 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench in just 17 minutes of work. Wayne Chism added 14 points and nine boards, while skipper Bader Abdulla Malabes had 12. Hussain and Mohammed Ameer each finished with 10 points, with Ameer also grabbing nine rebounds.
Sarhan had a game-high 30 markers, including four three-pointers, while backcourt mate Maitham Jameel chipped in with 21. Fairley had 14 while Kenneth Kadi scored 13 in the loss.
Muharraq have won the coveted trophy twice since the tournament was first held, while Ahli have claimed the Khalifa Bin Salman Cup three times in the past – a record they share with arch-rivals Manama.
Aside from Muharraq, Ahli, and Manama, Riffa also won the Khalifa Bin Salman Cup in the past, having emerged triumphant in the 2018-19 season.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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