BASKETBALL – MUHARRAQ were crowned back-to-back champions of the Zain Bahrain Basketball League last night – completing a dominant campaign and an historic title treble for the 2025-26 season.
Muharraq secured the coveted crown with a thrilling 89-81 win in overtime against bitter rivals Manama in game four of their best-of-five championship series, sealing the exciting match-up 3-1.
The victors gave up a commanding 13-point lead in the fourth quarter but then recovered in the extra session to seal yesterday’s hotly contested affair – played in front of a packed and rocking crowd at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.
In the additional five minutes, Mahmood Abbas Isa and Mohammed Juma’a buried three three-pointers between them to help Muharraq take an 89-79 lead with just over a minute to play. Juma’a’s second of successive baskets from long range was the knockout blow and it effectively sealed the result.
Bahrain Olympic Committee vice president Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa was on hand for last night’s clash, as were Bahrain Basketball Association president Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and other high-ranking officials.
Shaikh Isa presented the two teams their respective trophies and medals during the post-game awarding ceremony. Muharraq skipper Bader Abdulla Malabes received the league champions’ shield on behalf of his club.
Muharraq captured the league championship for the fifth time in history, and they took their third title of this campaign. It added to their triumphs in the Khalifa Bin Salman Cup last month and the curtain-raising Bahrain Super Cup held in November of last year.
The outcome also put a stamp on their dominance throughout the season, as well as over Manama. Muharraq only lost twice across all national competitions this 2025-26, one of which was against Manama – in game three of the finals – in their nine head-to-head meetings.
Muharraq appeared to have the finish line in their sights after a slam dunk from debutant Deshawndre Washington gave them a 72-59 cushion with under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter yesterday.
But Manama roared back, scoring seven unanswered points to get within striking distance and with plenty of time still left on the clock.
After Wayne Chism sank two free-throws for Muharraq to make it 76-71 with less than two minutes to go, baskets from Donovan Smith and later Alex Young, who had to come on for Smith after he fouled out near the end of regulation, brought Manama to within 75-77.
Ali Jaber then tied it with 29 seconds left following a drive-and-dish by Manama court general Ahmed Salman, sending the game into overtime.
There, Muharraq were unfazed by their late fourth-quarter collapse. Baskets from Malabes and Young forged another deadlock at 79-all, but then Isa sparked Muharraq’s decisive surge with a three-pointer from the right wing. Chism then split a pair of charity shots, and then Juma’a fired in his two straight triples, pushing his team ahead by double digits and wrapping up the championship – much to the delight of the Muharraq faithful.
Washington top scored for Muharraq with 27 points in his lone game for the team this season. He previously faced the Bahraini side as part of Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE in the Fiba West Asia Super League. Washington also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists in the win.
Isa added 13 and Nader Ali came off the bench to contribute the same, with the two guards firing in three triples apiece. Ali Hussain scored 10 points while Chism had a monster effort of nine points and 14 boards before he too fouled out late in extra session. Juma’a finished with eight points, but none were bigger than his six markers in overtime.
Smith paced Manama in the loss with 31 markers to go with 10 rebounds while Emran Ashkanani provided a boost with 15 – all on three-pointers – and Salman had 14.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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