DUBAI (UAE) – Thursday was a day of Gulf Derbies at the Shabab Al Ahli Stadium in Group A action of the FIBA Asia Cup 2029 Pre-Qualifiers First Round.
As things would turn, superior courtcraft would emerge triumphant with Bahrain announcing their intentions in their wire-to-wire 106-62 win over Oman and hosts UAE maintaining their composure in eking out a 75-72 win over arch nemesis Kuwait.
His wards losing focus on the job at hand and ending up error prone was a factor UAE coach Mounir Ben Slimane had rued despite their win against Oman on the opening night.
That issue seemed to run in the back of mind of the veteran play caller in his team’s plays tonight.
“Can we stop giving gifts,” Slimane was heard clamouring the team during the break going into the final period.
Things did come to a head immediately after that when Hamad Hasan blazed the net with his long ranger to put Kuwait ahead for the first time after the opening quarter.
Hasan would end the game with a double-double of 19 points and 16 points as Kuwait’s leader.
Mohamad Alhashmi made good of a DeMarco Dickerson dime and Rashed Alzaabi fired in back-to-back to regain UAE the lead.
Kuwait were not done yet.
Retaining possession after a video referral, Albaloushi and Turki Alshemmari came close to forcing Overtime, but saw both their three-pointer attempts, with less two seconds on the clock, go in vain allowing UAE to clinch the game.
Dickerson returned another game-high night for the home team with 27 points missing a double-double by three assists.
“It was an ugly win,” confessed Slimane. “We lucked out. We played with fear. We were lucky to get the two points,” he said.
Veteran coach Slobodan Subotic on his first appearance as Bahrain’s helmsman gave the entire roster a feel of the court for at least seven minutes each and all barring Ahmed Haji figured in the scoring.
“I am very pleased with the way we played unselfishly,” Subotic lauded his team for the 27 assists effected.
“The way our players have taken to training has shown me that we are ready to take on any opposition,” he added.
Jakarr Sampson marked his debut for the Gulf powerhouse with a towering presence on both ends of the floor missing the double-double by a solitary rebound while unleashing an 8/14 in field attempts, including a 3 / 4from long range in his 19 points. Mustafa Rashed led their scoring with 21 points.
Seasoned campaigner Hadid Bakhit held fort for Oman with 21 points.
Bahrain and UAE match up on the morrow after Nepal have gone up against Kuwait.
FIBA