LIB / QAT – Riyadi finish third

JAKARTA (FIBA Asia Champions Cup) - Al Riyadi Beirut improved upon their last year’s finish in Champions Cup, beating Al Arabi, Qatar 94-81 to bag the bronze medal at the 20th FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Wednesday.

Riyadi pulled away with a 16-2 run to close the first quarter 26-12 ahead and never looked back.

American Chris Charles scored 12 of his game-high 24 points and pulled down eight of his – again – game-high 17 rebounds in the first quarter as Riyadi bettered their last year’s fourth-place finish at Kuwait.

For Al Arabi, who were playing the Champions Cup after 25 years, it was their best ever placing – having finished seventh in the 1984 edition at Kuala Lumpur.

Charles’ countryman Nate Johnson too contributed a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

“It feels nice to go back with a medal,” said Al Riyadi coach Fouad Abouchakra.

“Considering the conditions of many of our key players, I think this is quite an achievement,” Abouchakra said.

“I think the boys showed a lot of character. We wanted to give this game to all those guys who have been with us throughout the season, but couldn’t play here because of injuries.”

FIBA Asia treasurer Mr. Quek Hiang Chiang gave away the medals and the trophy.

Scores

Al Riyadi 94 (Chris Charles 24, Nate Johnson 21, Omar Turk 12, Brian Feghali 12) bt
Al Arabi 81 (Maurice Hargrow 20, Omar Salem 18, Khalid Abdi 14, Ali Ali 12). Quarterwise Scores: 26-12, 58-34, 75-62.

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia