MANAMA were last night crowned champions of this year’s Zain Bahrain Basketball League.
Manama secured the title after thoroughly dominating bitter rivals Al Ahli 91-73 to secure their best-of-three championship series in six games, 4-2.
With the result, Manama claimed their third successive league championship which was also their 19th overall in the history of Bahrain basketball.
The victors used a balanced attack to help them claim the win. The game was so one-sided that Manama were able to use all 12 men on their roster, and each of them managed to get onto the score sheet.
American professional and former NBA import Josh Boone had a team-high 16 points before fouling out late in the second half. He was one of four Manama players in double figures.
Hassan Nairouz came off the bench to score 13, while Mohammed Quwayed had 11 and Ahmed Abdulaziz finished with 10.
Younes Quwayed scored nine points while Mohammed Hussain chipped in with eight markers.
Ahli court general and national team star Hussain Shaker tried valiantly to lift his side. He poured in 31 points, but his effort was not nearly enough from what was needed.
Backcourt mate Hesham Sarhan scored 16, while Sabah Hussain had nine. Senegalese import Pape Sow, also an ex-NBA big man, had just eight points.
Manama got off to a quick start and held a 6-0 lead early in the opening quarter. A Younes Quwayed triple helped them extend their lead to 19-10, and they continued to add to their advantage as they enjoyed a 24-12 lead at the end of the first.
In the second period, Nairouz buried a corner three-pointer to stretch the gap even further, 29-13, and Manama were able to close the half out with a comfortable 40-29.
The winners continued to put the pedal to the metal after the interval, going up by more than 20 points in the third quarter, 62-40.
Manama cruised the rest of the way, as Ahli were completely overwhelmed and overmatched on the evening.
Manama were coached by former NBA player Sam Vincent, who was also a head coach of the then-Charlotte Bobcats in 2007-2008. Vincent is also an NBA champion. He was a part of the 1986 title-winning Boston Celtics.
Ahli were coached by Bahraini tactician Ahmed Najat.
Aside from last night’s contest, Manama also won games one, two and four. Ahli triumphed in game three and five.
Following yesterday’s action, both teams were presented their respective trophies by officials from the Bahrain Basketball Association and league sponsors Zain.
BBA president Adel Al Assoomi was among those on hand to award both teams their silverware.
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