Former Asia Champions Cup winner Arakji ready for comeback with ambitious Riyadi
BANGKOK (Thailand) - Two-time FIBA Asia Champions Cup title holders Al-Riyadi missed on their chances of winning in consecutive years last time they were in Thailand. They are back again for FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019, hoping to add more silverware to their already crowded trophy case.
| Al-Riyadi's roster for FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019 | ||
| Gerard Hadidian | Jean Abd El Nour | Amir Saoud |
| Hicham El helou | Miguel Martinez | Mohamad Bilal Tabbara |
| Wael Arakji | Ekene Ibekwe | Willie Warren |
| Bassel Bawji | ||
Riyadi's 7th place finish at FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2018 is something they will surely want to forget soon and winning some silverware this time around would more than likely make the healing process a lot easier.
"Our goal is win the Asian crown and erase the sad memories of the 2018 edition," said Tamam Jaroudi, Riyadi's Secretary General.
Three players return from the 2017 champion squad: Wael Arakji, Jean Abd El Nour, and Amir Saoud. In their title run, Arakji averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game but would miss the 2018 edition of the competition while nursing an injury.
(Wael Arakji, FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017)
On the other hand, this will be the 4th consecutive trip to the Asia Champions Cup for both Abd El Nour and Amir Saoud. The duo are major contributors on the team, especially Amir Saoud who has scored 219 points in this competition over the past two years.
Joining a crowded and talented backcourt is Willie Warren. Aside from a lengthy stint in China, the well travelled 29-year-old has also played for Iran’s Petrochimi at FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017. Warren averaged 22.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game that year and even scored 10 points and 9 rebounds against his current club RIyadi in the Semi-finals.
(Willie Warren, FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2017)
Bassel Bawji averaged 19.0 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocks per contest last year in Thailand and he will be back again to pack up the paint for the proud Lebanese club along with Riyadi’s newly acquired big man, Ekene Ibekwe.
Riyadi will be put up to the test in Group B, facing the likes o Alvark Tokyo, Guangdong Southern Tigers, and Hyundai Mobis. Their first game will be up against the Korean champions, Hyundai Mobis, on September 24 at 20:30 (GMT +7). This will be followed by playing against 2018 runners-up, Alvark Tokyo, on the next day at 15:30 (GMT +7). They will close out in the last game of the Group Phase against Guangdong Southern Tigers at 20:30 (GMT +7) on September 26.
Can Al-Riyadi win their franchises’ 3rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup title with this line up in Thailand?
FIBA
