ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Building off their dramatic win the last time out would surely be the main objective when Al Riyadi headline the 2025-26 FIBA WASL-West Asia League competitions this week.
It could be recalled that the reigning champions dealt Shahrdari Gorgan their first loss of the season behind a Hayk Gyokcyhan cleanup at the horn, in the process bringing them back on track after losing to Astana.
Thanks to the star big man, the Yellow Castle avoided losing twice in a row for the first time in a long while in the pan-regional competition, and have brought themselves back into contention for the no. 1 position.
In fact, they could capture the provisional lead this Thursday when they take on Al Wahda SC in Zouk Mikael in one of the more interesting rematches this season, given what transpired during their first encounter.
Coach Ahmad Farran & Co. received quite the test in just their first game of the season, in which they found themselves trailing early as their Syrian counterparts leaned on star guard James Justice Jr.
But championship poise proved to be the difference, with Bilal Tabbara knocking down the back-breaking trey during crunchtime before new guy Perrin Buford struck the dagger to deliver the 89-80 victory.
It has been two months since that clash happened and changes have taken place within both teams roster-wise, with the 0-4 Wahda beefing up their frontline by acquiring Nigerian big man Prince Orizu late last year.
Al Riyadi, on the other hand, have signed up South Sudan star Nuni Omot to bolster their campaign, and so it would be intriguing to see how these two could make a difference for their respective sides.
Set for a 17:45 tip-off locally, the Riyadi-Wahda game will be the lone WASL-West Asia League game this week as the clash between Gorgan and Sagesse SC in Iran supposed to be this Wednesday has been postponed.
For more on the WASL-West Asia games, click here.
FIBA