Manama withstand Muharraq, seal return to Gulf League Final

MANAMA (Bahrain) - Manama overcame a gallant stand by Muharraq, 98-88, to book a return trip to the FIBA WASL-Gulf League Final, Monday night at the Khalifa Sport City in Isa Town.

Mohammed Ameer and Ali Rashed came through with clutch plays, before Sir'Dom Pointer sealed the deal through trips to the foul line as the troika saved their side after seeing the opposition climb back from 17 down and get to within two, 90-88, with 1:59 left in the game.

Following another solid display of resolve, the reigning FIBA WASL champions now have another shot at the sub-zone league title after falling short in the inaugural season.

They face either defending Gulf League titlists Kuwait Club or Kazma in the Big Dance. Kuwait Club presently lead the all-Kuwaiti Semis affair, 1-0, and could forge the Final rematch in Game 2 on Tuesday night at the Shaikh Saad Bin Maktoum Sport Hall in Kuwait City.

Game heroes: Pointer led Manama with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals for an efficiency of 33, eventually earning STEP AHEAD Player of the Game honors.

Rashed finished with 22 points, nailing four of the team's 10 triples, and 6 assists. Devin Ebanks produced a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, together with 3 assists.

Travin Thibodeaux supplied 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ameer had 11 points as well alongside 6 boards while Ahmed Haji chipped in 10 points, spiked by a pair of treys, as a total of six players finished in double figures in the character-testing victory.

*This article will be updated shortly.