ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - The sequel took two years to materialize, but all that matters is it is finally happening on Sunday night as Al Riyadi and Sagesse SC forge a rematch in the FIBA West Asia Super League Final.
Game time is set at 20:45 local time at what should be a packed Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex, with the Yellow Castle, of course, hoping to pull off a repeat of 2024 to successfully achieve a rare 'three-peat.'
In easily one of the league's best games ever, Riyadi came from behind to beat their domestic rivals in overtime, 100-90, behind a classic performance by star guard Wael Arakji to rule the league for the first time.
That proved to be the start of their reign of dominance as the WASL-West Asia League powerhouse went unbeaten the following season, eventually earning another golden double - highlighted by another Final 8 sweep.
Currently, they're in the midst of a 14-game winning streak in the pan-regional contest's culminating showpiece, including their ouster of Al Ula Club in the Semi-Finals Saturday to head back to the Big Dance.
One more win and Coach Ahmad Farran & Co. should seal their date with destiny, although it is not totally lost on the 3-time Sub-Zone League titlists that it would take so much from them to do so, given who's in their way.
It's a foe that knows them extremely well due to their countless battles in the past. And the fact that the Green Castle knows as well how to beat them makes the task all the more daunting for the other team.
They've actually played against one another in WASL a total of 10 times and even though Riyadi have the edge in the head-to-head, 8-2, their most recent meeting in this tilt actually went in favor of their age-old rivals.
During the WASL-West Asia League Group Phase last January, Sagesse won convincingly, 105-91, for their first win against them in this tourney since Game 2 of their Semi-Finals clash in the Sub-Zone League in 2024.
Fast forward to the present and they're coming into the Final riding a wave of momentum as well. They're in the midst of an unbeaten 4-game winning streak, including a repeat against Kuwait Club in the Semi-Finals.
That, plus the desire to get back at the same team that beat them in the 2026 Lebanese Basketball Championship Finals that lasted 7 games, may just be the kind of push Sagesse needs to finally get over the hump.
With no Arakji this time and both teams featuring reinforcements different from earlier in the season, and newer locals delivering, it should be one intriguing finale between two of Asia's renowned ball clubs.
But just as interesting is the Third-Place Game at 17:45 local time featuring Al Ula and Kuwait Club - teams that have grown so familiar with one another after facing off in the WASL-Gulf League earlier this season.
In fact, their battle for a podium finish will be a tiebreaker of sorts as well. The two split their meetings in the Sub-Zone League, with the Arabian Leopards the winner in their rematch, 88-68, last January in Medina.
For sure, the Brigadiers would want to get back at them and get that winning feeling once more, motivated as well to snare their first medal since settling for a runner-up finish during the Final 8 inaugurals in 2023.
Surely, though, Al Ula wouldn't make it easy, as they're also looking to present Saudi Arabia their first podium finish in WASL although they have already given the country its best showing by reaching the Semi-Finals.
FIBA