Al Riyadi add inaugural WASL-West Asia title to rich collection

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Al Riyadi earned the distinction of being the inaugural WASL-West Asia champions after beating Gorgan, 114-100, before a raucous home crowd at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael, Wednesday night.

Duop Reath led the way with 26 points and 9 rebounds, Wael Arakji produced 21 points, while Kevin Murphy fired 18 as the celebrated troika bannered the second-quarter assault that put the home team in the lead the rest of the way.

Amir Saoud and Hayk Gyokchyan came through with 18 and 16 markers, respectively, as the tandem did their thing in the third quarter, where the team pulled away for good after seeing the opposition knock within six points twice.

Winning the crown served as a fitting end to Al Riyadi's WASL-West Asia campaign, which saw the crew of Coach Mehran Hatami overcome Orthodox Amman in the Qualification to Semi-Finals, before sweeping Beirut Club in the Semis.

Now they swept the reigning two-time Iranian Super League champions, who were among the four teams to reach the Semis directly, on the way to the crown.

Gorgan, meanwhile, were led by Perry Petty, who finished with a rare triple-double of 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 rebounds in the crushing defeat.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the WASL Final 8 in June, where they will also be joined by West Asia's third-placer Beirut Club.

WASL West Asia League - Final Standings

1- Al Riyadi (LBN)
2- Gorgan (IRI)
3- Beirut Club (LBN)
4- Zobahan (IRI)

FIBA