Beirut Club claimed a second consecutive victory in the Dubai International Basketball Championship, defeating Amman United 87-80 in the Rashid bin Hamad Hall.
Coach Jad al-Hajj, recently appointed as the team's head coach, brought back the same starting five from their previous victory: Sergio Darwish, Ali Mezher, Ali Haidar, Ricky Ledo and Tony Farmer.
A Solid Start but an Intense Battle
From the outset, the Lebanese team gained the upper hand, ending the first quarter with a comfortable lead (22-11). However, Amman United showed their determination in the second quarter by exploiting the cracks in Beirut's defense. By halftime, Beirut Club led by a modest six points (37-31).
The third quarter marked a turning point in the game. Thanks to a well-organized zone defense, Amman United reversed the trend and took the lead for the first time (62-58). “Their defense kept us off balance, but we knew we had to stay focused,” said Ali Mezher after the game.
A Spectacular Comeback in the Fourth Quarter
Unfazed, Beirut Club opened the final quarter with a decisive 12-2 run. Led by an inspired Ali Haidar and an in-form Ricky Ledo, the Lebanese regained control of the game. This momentum, coupled with strong defensive efforts, secured their 87-80 victory.
"This game showed the strength of character of our team. We overcame the difficult moments to come away with the win," commented coach Jad al-Hajj.
Challenges Ahead
Beirut Club take on runners-up Strong Group on Monday at 7 PM (Beirut time), in what promises to be a thrilling duel. Meanwhile, Sagesse SC kick off their campaign on Sunday at 7 PM against the Tunisian national team, a formidable opponent.
With back-to-back wins, Beirut Club are sending out a strong message in the tournament, affirming their ambition to go far in this international competition.
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