MIGHTY Manama lifted the prestigious Khalifa bin Salman Cup last night following a nail-biting 82-79 victory over bitter rivals Muharraq in the tournament final, played at a rocking Khalifa Sports City arena in Isa Town.
Talented two-guard Maytham Jameel made a pair of pressure-packed free-throws with just six seconds to play to help Manama come away with the win.
Muharraq tried to tie the proceedings with the little time left on the clock but they could not produce a quality attempt before the final buzzer.
Bahrain Basketball Association President His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa was present at the game. Shaikh Isa handed over the coveted trophy to the winners, as well as their medals. Also in attendance were Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Hisham Al Jowder and other high-ranking officials from both clubs.
Do-it-all forward Mohammed Kuwayed, guard Hassan Nowrooz and American professional Wayne Chism combined for 61 of Manama’s total score in yesterday’s final. Kuwayed led the way with 23 markers on an efficient eight-for-12 clip from the field, while Nowrooz had 20 points including three three-pointers. Chism had his typical monster game of 18 points, 19 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the win. Jameel finished with just seven points for Manama.
Pacing Muharraq in the loss was sweet-shooting guard Ali Abbas who had a game-high 31 points. He was a red hot 12-of-17 from the field while also registering four steals. US import Arnett Moultrie added 22 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Help
They received little help, however, they were the only two Muharraq players in double figures. The rest of their top players struggled offensively, including Bader Abdulla Malabes who had just eight points, Mohammed Buallay who had five, Ali Shukrallah who had two points and Mohammed Juma’a who finished scoreless.
Muharraq had to settle for the runner-up medals, although they did well to fight back in the game and make the end interesting as they cut a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to just one prior to Jameel’s final two free-throws.
Kuwayed also came up big for Manama in the final 26 seconds of the game. He made three free-throws over two possessions to help keep his team in front.
Manama stared the final period with a commanding 65-50 lead. They were earlier ahead 43-34 at the half after starting things off with a 25-15 edge in the first quarter.
With the Cup competition now complete, action is set to resume in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
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