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Al-Riyadi’s team secured a victory on Saturday against La Sagesse (113-99) in a match where the Manara men dominated every sector, thus claiming the top spot in the Lebanese championship along with home-court advantage for the playoffs for the sixteenth time.
A Start to the Match Without Concession
Under coach Ahmad Farran’s guidance, Al-Riyadi entered the match with strong mental focus, leaving La Sagesse little room to settle into the game’s rhythm. They surged to a 21-7 lead after just four minutes, propelled by impressive performances from the impressive Wael Arakji and the championship’s top center, Elmedin Kikanović.
The first quarter ended with the hosts tallying 39 points, highlighting their success against the league’s best defense, which managed only 21 points in the opening ten minutes.
Experience Over Bravery
La Sagesse attempted to rectify the situation early in the second quarter by scoring 7 points within the first minute and a half, but Al-Riyadi’s players quickly absorbed the challenge, reaffirming their control with a superb team effort, as evidenced by 19 assists in the first half. Al-Riyadi clearly demonstrated their title defense ambitions, while La Sagesse found themselves powerless against the yellow onslaught.
The first half concluded with a score of 66-41 in favor of the home team.
A One-Way Game
Al Riyadi started the third quarter of the game with the same high level of concentration as in the second quarter, with their player Karim Zeinoun rediscovering his long-range address with five consecutive three-point baskets for the second time against La Sagesse. On the other hand, Manny Harris wasted no time in reconciling with his fans in the best possible way, scoring twenty-four points after his poor performance a few days ago. The third quarter ended 92-75.
In the fourth and final quarter, La Sagesse’s foreign players, CleAnthony Early (26 points) and Jonathan Gibson (34 points), tried to carry the team on their shoulders (in the absence of Deng, who was injured and resting by the coaching staff). They tried to narrow the gap but were unsuccessful against a well-prepared and diverse Al-Riyadi team, determined not to disappoint their hopeful fans who filled the stands. The match concluded with a score of 113-99 in favor of Al-Riyadi.
Moving on to the WASL Tournament
A third match on a third court will pit the two teams against each other, this time in the WASL tournament, where La Sagesse will host Al-Riyadi at the Antoine Choueiri Hall in Ghazir.
Al Riyadi lead the series 1-0, and La Sagesse are aiming for victory to force a decisive match at Nouhad Nawfal, satisfying their vast fan base, which is eagerly awaiting them next Wednesday.
