Riyadi emerged victorious over Iranian Gorgan (114-100) in the regional final and qualified for the FIBA WASL Final 8, where they will compete against clubs from the other two Asian sub-regions, East and Gulf. With this triumph, the Lebanese were crowned champions of the West Asian zone.
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In the FIBA WASL (West Asia Super League) 2022-2023 basketball tournament, Riyadi faced an Iranian club, Gorgan, in the West Asian regional final. Both clubs have already qualified for the WASL Final 8 as West Asian regional finalists. However, winning the final would give the winner hope for an easier opponent in the next round. There are two other FIBA WASL regional tournaments that pit clubs from the Gulf countries against those from East Asia for a spot in the WASL Final 8.
The regional final was played in a best-of-three format, with the first team to win two games declared the winner. Gorgan and Riyadi had already faced each other on Thursday, May 11 in Tehran, in the first game, with the Lebanese club beating its Iranian counterpart (87-79) and taking the lead (1-0) in the series.
For the second game, which was held Wednesday, May 17, night in Lebanon, Riyadi coach Ahmad Farran lined up a starting five composed of Duop Reath, Hayk Gyokchyan, Kevin Murphy, Karim Zeinoun and Waël Arakji. The first points (2-0) were scored by Gorgan. But Arakji leveled the score with free throws. He then gave Riyadi the lead (4-2), as Zeinoun scored from behind the arc (7-4) and Arakji added a basket (10-4). Reath added two points (12-6). Arakji, again on free throws, added two points (14-8). However, the Iranians reacted effectively by going up in score (16-14 and 16-15 on free throws). They also took the lead (17-16), but the Lebanese team quickly regained it (20-17), as the Iranians leveled the score (20-20). On a free throw, Murphy put Riyadi back in front (22-20), as he added two points on a counter-attack before he easily converted two free throws. With just over a minute left in the period, Coach Farran brought Amir Saoud into the game. This first quarter ended in favor of Riyadi (28-24).
MartÃnez disqualified
The second quarter started with the same intensity as the first ended. A dunk by Reath gave the Lebanese a six point lead (32-26). Hayk, on free throws, then Murphy from behind the arc gave Riyadi a comfortable 11-point lead (37-26). For his first basket of the game, Saoud earned a bonus shot (42-32). The Iranian coach approached the referee to task for what he thought was an unwhistled foul, in vain. The referee turned a deaf ear to his complaints. Duop, on the other hand, was hitting dunks and Murphy was racking up points before leaving the floor with two minutes left in the half. Despite their counterattacks, the Iranians remained far behind (58-40). And the second quarter ended with Riyadi in the lead again (58-43).
After the break, the Iranian players tried to place pressure under the panels, but their efforts were in vain as the Lebanese maintained their lead (64-53 for the Lebanese). Although Riyadi seemed weak in defense and little present in rebounds at this beginning of the third quarter, they made up for it offensively (70-62 then 72-64). However, despite Riyadi’s fine defense, the Iranians pushed the Lebanese a little too often to the foul, thus granting themselves many free throws. Saoud also got three successful free throws after a defensive foul by an Iranian player (77-68). Both teams were putting pressure on each other, with Riyadi performing better. The third quarter ended once again in favor of the hosts (87-69).
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the difference in score was already 24 points (96-72) for Riyadi, decidedly hyper dominant. This quarter mirrored the game’s fiery nature. In the final four minutes of the game, Riyadi surpasses the 100-point marks (104-79 then 106-82). But taking advantage of weaknesses in the Lebanese team’s defense, the players of Riyadi being all grouped in attack, the Iranians of Gorgan scored baskets under empty panels (107-90). But Riyadi accelerated their game and closed it out (114-100) to win the West Asian sub-region title. However, Riyadi’s victory was marred by a minor hiccup as Miguel Martinez was disqualified after a vengeful and unnecessary tackle on an Iranian player with almost ten seconds left before the buzzer.
Coach Farran and club president Mazen Tabbara were so proud of their team and celebrated their joyous achievement.
