MANAMA (FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Pre-Qualifiers - Western Region) – Saudi Arabia finished with a perfect 4-0 record beating Bangladesh on the final day, while Palestine finished second with an easy victory over hosts Bahrain.

Palestine bt Bahrain 77-57

Hoping to end on a winning note, hosts Bahrain took on Palestine in the final game of the Western Region Pre-Qualifiers. Both teams were coming into this game, boasting an identical 2-1 record. While the teams were already assured of spots in next year’s FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifers, the game was still significant considering the similar quality of both teams.

Palestine point guard Mark Hill made his intentions clear early, aggressively driving to the paint for back to back opening buckets. Yet again, Bahrain’s guards were found wanting as they allowed their counterparts to beat them on the dribble. Not surprisingly, Palestine power forward Sani Sakanini had yet another stellar game. His spin moves in particular, against the shorter Mohamed Kawaid, were enthralling to say the least.

On the other end of the floor, Palestine did an excellent job of defending right upto the perimeter and denying Bahrain any open looks. Bahrain was restricted to just 9 points in the first quarter and 12 points in the second, as Palestine went into the half with a substantial 36-21 lead.

For Palestine, the highlight of the first half was Mark Hill’s outside shooting and Sakakini’s play, that included a breakaway dunk that was in actuality a travel. Meanwhile, Bahrain was happy to end the nightmarish first two quarters that included multiple offensive fouls, turnovers, missed layups and three second violations.

In the third quarter, Bahrain managed to outscore Palestine 22-21, but still trailed by 14 points, 43-57 going into the final 10 minutes. Halfway through the final quarter, Bahrain made it a 10 point game thanks to Kawaid and centre Mohammed Hammooda. But Palestine closed out the game with a decisive 11-3 run. Bahrain’s backup forward Ali Hasan did a good job of containing Sakakini in the second half but by then it was too little too late. 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bt Bangladesh 109-56

Earlier in the evening, Saudi Arabia completed the formalities of a 4-0 record, with an expectedly easy 109-56 over bottom placed Bangladesh.

20-year-old centre Mohammed Alsuwailem finally put up the big numbers, as he dominated in the paint against the much shorter Bangladesh. Alsuwailem finished with a +31 overall efficiency that was the result of 21 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Meanwhile Bangladesh’s forward Mithun Biswas top scored for his team with 20 points. This was a one sided contest right from the get go, as Saudi Arabia built a huge 37-13 lead and still managed to cross 100 points in the game despite gradually getting its foot off the pedal. Bangladesh will return home with a lot of questions on its mind.

FIBA