- 30
- Mar
- 2025
Al Riyadi is no longer untouchable! Beirut Club broke the defending champion's streak in their home court at Saeb Salam, thus opening the door to an explosive end to the season where Sagesse intends to play a leading role.
A plot twist in the Lebanese basketball championship! In an electric atmosphere at Saeb Salam, Beirut Club made a big impact by defeating Al Riyadi (92-86) on their home court, ending the invincibility of the defending champion. This massive achievement completely reignites the race to the top. With this victory, the seventh in a row, Beirut Club reshuffles the deck and propels Sagesse to the top of the standings. The Greens, who had already done their job on Thursday against Antranik (92-87), now count nine victories in as many matches.
A Stunning Start That Makes the Difference
From the start, Beirut Club set a scorching tempo, nearly sealing the deal in the first quarter (24-13). Under pressure, Al Riyadi tried to react, but the deficit was too heavy. Despite a comeback in the second half, the hosts never found the key against a well-oiled Beirut collective.
A Perfect Team Performance
Beirut Club delivered a performance of champions, with six players scoring more than ten points. Ricky Ledo (18 pts), Ali Haidar (17 pts, 11 rbds), Kenneth Kadji (14 pts, 12 rbds) and Quincy Miller (14 pts) handled the scoring, while Ali Mazhar (13 pts) and Sergio El Darwich (11 pts, 5 rbds, 9 ast) perfectly orchestrated the game. On the other side, Al Riyadi relied on a fiery George King (32 pts), but the support was lacking. Haig Gyokchian (13 pts), Wael Arakji (12 pts, 5 ast) and Ismaïl Ahmad (10 pts, 8 rbds, 3 ast) were not enough to avoid the disappointment.
Al Riyadi Falters, Sagesse Lurking
Three days earlier, Sagesse confirmed its leader status by overturning Antranik after a complicated first half (45-36). The Greens pressed the accelerator in the second half to stay undefeated and assert their dominance. While Al Riyadi still remains the heavyweight of the championship on paper after the team’s strong run in the WASL, this slip-up proves that they are not untouchable. Beirut Club and Sagesse intend to take advantage of this and shake up the hierarchy in this fierce title race. The championship is far from over!
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