- 10:30
The defending champion did not falter in its opening game: in Manara, Riyadi, led by Ahmad Farran, took care of business with seriousness and authority against Tadamon Hrajel (118-83), sending a clear signal to the rest of the field.
The opening of the 2025-2026 championship offered a classic matchup: the predicted giant, Riyadi, the overwhelming favorite in the competition, faced an ambitious but realistic newcomer, Tadamon Hrajel, led by Ghassan Sarkis. For ten minutes, the game resembled a tug-of-war—27-24 in the first quarter—before the Beirut machine shifted into high gear and overwhelmed its opponent with a devastating second quarter. At halftime, the score (70-44) spoke volumes about the balance of power.
The Turning Point
The second quarter sealed the fate of the game. By going on a run that broke Tadamon's rhythm, Riyadi racked up 43 points to 20, combining defensive stops and clean transition play. The rest was just high-intensity management: 95-64 at the end of the third, then a controlled final act to close out at 118-83.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
The dominance was total in all areas: 55 rebounds to 34, 32 assists to 20, 12 steals to 9, and 12 blocks to 2. In other words, impact on the rebound, smooth ball movement, and rim protection—the hallmarks of a team already in good shape.
Men of the Match
Riyadi showed its depth above all else. Eight players scored in double figures, and the leaders were already in sync: Maurice Kemp led the way (22 points, 7 rebounds), Ivan Buva dominated the paint (20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks). Around them, Haik Gyokchyan was accurate (16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Perrin Buford was well-rounded (14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), Bilal Tabbara was valuable in linking the play (12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Amir Saoud was skillful and clean (12 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists), and Karim Zenoun was energetic (11 points, 2 blocks). And while the scoring doesn't tell the whole story, Ali Mansour played like a true leader with 10 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds for just 2 points: control, reading the game, and tempo.
On the other side, Tadamon did not back down. Alex Al Alieh kept the flame alive (25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 assists), Sam Daniels fired away (20 points, 4 rebounds), and Kakhaber Jintcharadze distributed the ball (17 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds). John Daher filled in the gaps (7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) and Elias Sebaaly battled for rebounds (8). But facing the champions right from the start, on Manara’s home court, was baptism by fire.
Message Sent
For a debut, Riyadi ticked all the boxes: a well-oiled team, constant intensity, a deep bench, and a clear hierarchy. We won't judge Sarkis' Tadamon—their championship will be played elsewhere—but the champions did exactly what is expected of a heavy favorite: they got their feet wet, imposed their physicality and rhythm, and reminded the competition that the road to the title always goes through Manara.
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