IRI - Saba get ready for take-off to play in finals

DUBAI (Int'l Tournament) - Asian clubs champions, Saba Battery of Iran, had a superb display as they beat Zain of Jordan 89-68 Monday and defeated hosts UAE 97-80 Tuesday in the 19th Dubai International Basketball Tournament at the Al Ahli's sports hall.

Saba easily took the opening quarter 25-11 before Zain responded in the next quarter to win narrowly 21-19. But Saba, the current continental clubs and two-time former west Asian championship, hit back in style to take the third quarter 47-33. They then fended off a strong resistance from the Jordanians in the last quarter to take it 42-35 and the match.

In an earlier match, former champions Al Riyadi of Lebanon handed Dubai's Al Ahli their second defeat in the championship. The Lebanese, one of the favourites in the tournament, won 99-83. Al Riyadi took the opening quarter 27-17 but Al Ahli gave them a scare in the second after winning 27-21.

Al Riyadi, sponsored by Steelfab, regained control in the third and fourth quarters to cruise to a hard-fought 99-83 win. Al Ahli went down 80-98 in their opening match to last year's finalists, Al Jalaa on Sunday night.

Saba, meanwhile, were inspired to victory by their 218-cm tall Garth Joseph of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Joseph, who played in some of the top teams in the NBA, scored over 23 points. He was well supported by Frenchman Makan Dioumasi who also hauled 19 points to help the Iranian side to victory.

Saba started the match in a whirlwind fashion as they kept their opponents under tremendous pressure to take a massive 12-4 lead after just four minutes.

Joseph was in devastating form during this period with a string of spectacular baskets to give his side a 25-11 lead in the first quarter. Zain's Jaston Jones of the US was also impressive with his fine runs and finishing touch to keep his side in the match during the second quarter. Zain demonstrated better team work, and several breaks from the middle of the court posed a lot of problems to Saba.

Nasrollah Moeini, manager of Saba, said they played the match in memory of one of their key players, Aidin Nik-khah, who died in a car accident three weeks ago. "It was an emotional game for all the players. Aidin was one of our best players and we have even decided to hang his jersey, numbered nine, forever. We lost our first game, so we wanted to win this game for him," he added.

Saba lined up against the hosts UAE Tuesday in their 3rd game in the tournament and overpowered their opponents 97-80.

Hooman Bagheri
Courtesy Khaleej Times
FIBA official correspondent