ALEPPO (Syria) - Anthouny Bakar was proud to see Al-Ittihad Ahli accomplish the goal they set entering their FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Season 2 debut on Thursday night.

The star winger said that the whole team wanted to become the first Syrian team to win a game in the pan-regional competition, which they did by showing great resolve against Al Naft.

"Before the game we set only one target: to [become] the first Syrian team to win in WASL," he said shortly after the 79-72 win at the Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium.

It may seem modest for some, but such a target meant a lot for Bakar and Co.

It could be remembered that Al-Ittihad, along with Alkaramah, withdrew from the inaugural FIBA WASL season following the catastrophic February 6 earthquake in Syria.

Thus, the eagerness to be triumphant in their first game back.

Add to that the fact that both teams weren't able to post a single win back in Season 1. The pullout didn't allow any opportunity for the two of them to taste a W in the league.

"Last year we took four losses, and we stopped during the earthquake," he recalled.

But as fate would have it, Bakar and his squad found their way back into FIBA WASL following a runner-up finish to Al-Wahda in the 2022-23 Syrian Basketball League.

So, that meant a chance, and they made sure to pounce on it against another returnee.

"Al Naft is a very good team," said Bakar, who finished with 14 points, including the free throws to seal it and settle the final count after the Iraqi side got to within four twice from a 10-point deficit.

"We know they have two very good imports. We set the game plan on them especially. We stuck to Coach's plan. We trusted each other," he added.

To win in front of a capacity crowd makes Bakar all the more prouder.

"The fans are no. 1 for us. We want all our games to be full house and hopefully, we can get more wins on our home court," hoped the 29-year-old.

Now that their first game of Season 2 in the books, Bakar and Al-Ittihad hope to sustain as much moving forward as they have set their sights set on the ultimate prize.

"Al-Ahli of Aleppo always sets one target. It's to win all the trophies," he said.

"We know that it's very hard to win WASL because there are many competitive teams ... but we're looking forward to put maximum effort each game," Bakar closed.

FIBA