BASKETBALL – MUHARRAQ were last night crowned back-to-back champions in the 2025-26 Khalifa Bin Salman Cup.
Muharraq lifted the coveted trophy for the third time in the tournament’s history following a thrilling 80-73 victory over a battling Manama in the one-off final, played at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town with no fans in attendance.
Muharraq’s second straight crown brought them level with Manama and Al Ahli on three titles apiece, with Riffa winning the Khalifa Bin Salman Cup the one other occasion.
On hand for yesterday’s contest were Bahrain Olympic Committee vice-president Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) president Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, General Sports Authority CEO Dr Abdulrahman Askar, and other high-ranking officials.
Shaikh Isa presented the two teams their respective awards during the post-game prize giving ceremony. Muharraq skipper Bader Abdulla Malabes received the Khalifa Bin Salman Cup from Shaikh Isa on behalf of his club.
The Khalifa Bin Salman Cup is one of the most prestigious annual basketball tournaments organised by the BBA.
With their triumph, Muharraq secured their second trophy of this ongoing 2025-26 national basketball season. They earlier clinched this campaign’s Bahrain Super Cup last November – another single-game affair in which they also defeated Manama.
In yesterday’s contest, Muharraq led 19-12 in the first quarter but then Manama scored eight unanswered points to take a slim lead. Ali Hussain answered with a three-pointer, but Mohammed Buallay made a tough driving lay-up to forge a 22-all deadlock at the end of the opening period.
In the second, the score remained close and Jaber banked in a triple to beat the shot clock and give Manama a 35-33 lead. Muharraq roared back and Michael Warren fired in a step-back three-pointer to put them up 39-35. He then had another jump shot right before the half to give his side a 41-38 edge heading into the locker rooms.
After the re-start, Mohammed Ameer scored five straight points for Muharraq, including a thunderous slam dunk, to put them ahead 46-39. Warren then buried a triple to make it 51-42, and Malabes later made his own from beyond the arc to stretch their lead once again to nine, 54-45. Two free-throws from Nick West gave them their first double-digit advantage of the night at 56-45, and they took a 58-48 cushion into the final frame.
There, a basket from Mohammed Juma’a made it 62-48 for the biggest gap of the game. Manama tried to stay in the fight, however, and after a Malabes unsportsmanlike foul, Ahmed Salman made two charity shots to get Manama back to within 56-62. They then made a furious rally in the last two minutes to cut Muharraq’s 74-63 lead to a one-possession game at 74-71 following a Salman three-pointer in transition.
Their surge made Muharraq sweat, but they were able to hold on until the final buzzer. Two Malabes free-throws, followed by another four from Warren, iced their victory.
Warren finished as their leading scorer with 20 points, while Mahmood Abbas Isa chipped in with 13 and Ameer had 12. Three others had eight points apiece, including Hussain, Juma’a, and Wayne Chism, who also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Salman paced Manama with 20 points, including three triples. Romeo Enan added 14 and 13 boards, while Ali Jaber and Hasan Nowrooz scored nine points each.
Last night’s meeting was the fifth this season between Muharraq and Manama. Manama triumphed on all five occasions – three of which were in the 2025-26 Zain Bahrain Basketball League, where they are the defending champions.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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