BASKETBALL – DEFENDING champions Muharraq completed a three-game sweep of Al Ahli last night while Manama edged ahead 2-1 against Al Najma in the Golden Square semi-finals of the 2025-26 Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Muharraq routed Ahli 102-63 to book their return tickets to the championship series, while Manama claimed a hard-earned 95-92 victory against Najma in a thrilling contest that needed to go into overtime.
Yesterday’s pair of game-three clashes were played at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town, with no fans in attendance.
With Muharraq’s triumph, they marched through to the best-of-five finals, where they now await the winners of the Manama-Najma match-up. The two teams lock horns once again on Saturday for game four, while game five, if needed, will be held on Tuesday next week.
Muharraq were in dominant form against Ahli last night to clinch their series – leading virtually the entire evening. After going ahead 27-21 at the end of the first quarter, they blew things wide open in the second and extended their advantage to 55-36 at the half.
A one-sided third period where they outscored Ahli 32-9 then gave Muharraq a nearly insurmountable 87-45 cushion heading into the final frame. There, they continued to apply the pressure and built their largest gap of 46 points en route to securing the big win and their resounding sweep.
Mohammed Juma’a scored 19 points and took down 14 rebounds to spearhead a balanced attack for Muharraq, who had six players in double figures. Michael Warren added 18 as a substitute while Mahmood Abbas Isa scored 16. Nick West contributed 14, Nader Ali 12, and Ali Hussain 11, while Wayne Chism scored just two points but helped control the paint with 11 boards.
Maitham Jameel finished with 13 for Ahli while Hesham Sarhan added 11 as their only other player in double digits.
Meanwhile, in Najma’s narrow win, three-point baskets from Manama’s Emran Ashkanani and Najma’s Mohammed Kowayed forged an 83-all deadlock with just over a half-minute remaining in regulation.
Both teams then had chances to steal the game in the closing seconds, but Ahmed Salman’s effort from beyond the arc was blocked and the ensuing Ahmed Alderazi triple for Najma was off target, as was the put-back attempt by teammate Donovan Smith as the final buzzer sounded.
That led to the extra session, where Manama immediately took control with eight unanswered points, sparked by another Ashkanani three-pointer. Ali Aqeel later buried an off-balance triple from the left corner to make it 89-93 with under a minute to play, but then Ali Jaber banked in the second of two free-throws to keep it a two-possession game.
Smith gave Najma some hope with a three-pointer and just 5.5 seconds on the clock, but then Mohammed Buallay iced the win for Manama with a split from the charity stripe.
Ashkanani was the surprise hero for his team last night, pouring in 23 points off the bench, including a red hot seven-for-nine from long range. Salman added 19 and eight rebounds, while Jaber nearly had a triple double with 12 points, nine boards, and seven assists. Alex Young contributed 11 in the win while Romeo Enan scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
For Najma, who narrowly missed the opportunity to take the lead in their series, Smith was their top performer with 20 points and 10 boards. Alderazi added 17, while Kowayed scored 14, with both connecting on four triples apiece.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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