- 09:15
Without its stars, but with its promising youngsters, the national team made a strong statement in the Zouk Mikaël tournament opener.
Lebanon didn't miss out on the first edition of the Beirut Cup. In a white-hot Nouhad Naufal hall, Miodrag Perisic's men dominated Jordan 89-79, in a game marked by enthusiasm, skill, and the rise to power of a team in full transformation.
A new-look Lebanon
Deprived of their usual key players - Wael Arakji, Sergio El Darwich, Ali Haidar, Hayk Gyokchyan, and Ali Mansour - the Lebanese team appeared diminished, almost experimental. But the Lebanese proved they had resilience, heart, and — above all — talent to spare. The fans were quick to rally behind a team still developing chemistry — but already captivating.
Dedric Lawson, the Expected Conductor
Freshly naturalized Dedric Lawson played the role of metronome to perfection. The former Kansas standout — poised, intelligent, and team-oriented — shone without forcing his shots: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists — a near triple-double in his red-shirt debut. Although he failed to finish (4/11), his influence on the game was undeniable.
Khayat, the Spark
Youssef Khayat, who was also eagerly awaited, delivered an XXL performance. The athletic guard dynamited the Jordanian defense with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 counters, and 4 free throws. Very comfortable on both sides of the court, he brought the crowd to its feet on several occasions with spectacular actions, ferocious counter-attacks, and impressive composure from long range.
Youngsters Stepping Up
Alongside this duo, Jihad El Khatib (14 pts) and Karim Zeinoun (19 pts) held down the fort. The team displayed strong defensive intensity, high energy, and smooth ball movement. Lebanon led for most of the game and never truly looked in danger.
A Limited Jordan Side
Jordan put up a decent fight but clearly lacked firepower. Without Dar Tucker, the visitors leaned heavily on the reliable Hashem Abbas (14 points, 14 rebounds) and guard Khaled Aboud (12 points, 3 steals). A shoutout also goes to youngster Mohammad Alhendi, who knocked down several three-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep a glimmer of hope alive. But with an unrecognizable Abdullah Olajuwon (3/15 shooting), the task proved too much.
The Crowd Showed Up
Beyond the scoreline, it was the atmosphere that stood out. Nouhad Naufal Stadium brought back memories of big-game nights, with a loud, passionate crowd proud to see the next generation step up. The final sequence — a fierce block followed by a nearly completed alley-oop — put an exclamation mark on what was already a very promising performance.
Next up: Lebanon faces Iraq on Saturday, looking to build on this strong start and keep the Zouk Mikaël crowd buzzing.
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