DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - It's all or nothing for Shabab Al Ahli and Al Arabi SC as they duke it out in Game 3 of the 2025-26 FIBA WASL-Gulf League Qualification to Semi-Finals this Tuesday in the 'City of Gold.'
Game time is set at 19:00 local time at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall, with the hosts looking to, of course, make the most of their homecourt advantage in an attempt to keep their title defense alive.
They could've actually advanced to the Semi-Finals back in Game 2 in Doha, Qatar last week, but failed to sustain their hot three-point shooting from the series opener and ultimately absorbed a harsh 103-79 beating.
And that's exactly why the UAE League Basketball powerhouse is going all-out in their most important match of the season to date, as it would make or break their aspirations of repeating in the Sub-Zone League.
Because they know, too, how challenging it could be to go up against the Red Devils, who basically gave them a dose of their own medicine the last timeout by connecting on 12 threes - 8 more than what they did.
There was indeed a concerted effort from the Qatari Basketball League representatives to find the best possible shot available as evidenced by the 25 assists they dished, nearly double than what Shabab Al Ahli had (13).
Mosti Rashed found his touch again, too, by firing 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists to help lead a balanced attack in which six players finished in twin digits as Coach Hatem Mamlouk's short rotation worked.
Definitely, all of that should be concerning for Shabab Al Ahli entering the do-or-die, where they're looking to regain the same spunk they had back in Game 1 - and try to get everybody involved on offense.
Only Deshawndre Washington and Bryon Allen carried much of the load in Game 2 after Omer Alameri, who starred in Game 1, got shackled defensively, and with the returning Qais Alshabebi still finding his footing.
The Shabab Al Ahli-Al Arabi clash is the remaining Qualification to Semi-Finals meeting after Kuwait Club successfully swept Muharraq last week to forge a best-of-3 series against Ittihad Club in the next round.
Winner of the upcoming bout will take on the newly minted Saudi Basketball League champions Al Ula Club in the last four. For a better look at the whole 2025-26 WASL-Gulf League Final Phase picture, click here.
FIBA