- 09:30
Riyadi Beirut tamed Sharjah 88-75 in the final of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship at Al Jazira Club. This victory is the perfect ending after the setback of the first round, where the Yellows had squandered a 19-point lead. A champion’s response — clear and flawless.
The Setting
Sharjah came out firing and led 26-24 after ten minutes. Riyadi didn’t panic, tightened up defensively, and played collectively: 46-35 at halftime, then managed the third quarter with authority (65-56), before sealing the deal in the final stretch to win by +13.
Game Story
Riyadi flipped the tempo in the second quarter by closing the paint, securing rebounds, and finding clean mid-range looks. The plan was simple but effective: cut off Sharjah’s first options, force the extra pass, and run in transition.
The momentum shifted around halftime with a series of stops, two open corner shots, and an and-one in transition that widened the gap and turned the final in Riyadi’s favor.
Men of the Final
In this title game, Maurice Kemp set the tone. His 20 points and 8 rebounds weren’t just numbers — they were guiding lights, mixing face-ups and sharp drives to keep Riyadi on top. Inside, Ivan Buva made his mark with 16 points and 10 boards, and above all, a constant presence that anchored the paint and supported the team’s rhythm.
On the perimeter, Amir Saoud dictated the pace: 17 points, 6 assists, and smart decision-making when pressure rose. Perrin Buford found the gaps at the right moments, creating opportunities and making the right passes to keep the flow alive.
And then there was Hayk Gyokchyan, everywhere he needed to be: 11 points, 9 rebounds, and relentless activity during every key stretch — an impact that fully justifies his MVP award of the tournament.
Awards – All Well Deserved
At the final buzzer, the honors followed the performance: Hayk Gyokchyan was named MVP for his consistency and two-way influence.
In his energizing sixth-man role, Amir Saoud was awarded Best Sixth Man.
On the sideline, coach Ahmed Farran’s game reading made the difference — earning him Best Coach thanks to precise adjustments between the group stage and the final, and sharp management of rotations.
Revenge, Step by Step
After losing to Sharjah in the group stage — a game where they blew a 19-point lead — Riyadi fixed the issues where it hurt most: better ball pressure, stronger rebounding, tighter rotations in the third quarter, and cleaner shot selection in the final ten minutes.
The result: a controlled second-quarter run, no cracks in the fourth, and a confident finish from a team fully aware of its strength.
The Message Is Clear
Whatever the context — top-level friendly or official competition — Riyadi steps on the court to win.
Bench depth, execution after timeouts, rebounding presence, and shared leadership already outline a solid roadmap for the upcoming season, both in the domestic league and on the regional stage.
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