MANAMA, May 7: Kuwait clinched the West Asian Basketball League Championship title for the Gulf region by triumphing over the host team, Manama, Bahrain, with a score of 99-92 in a high-stakes showdown at the Khalifa Sports Hall in Bahrain's capital. This victory unfolded in the decisive third encounter of the "Playoff" final round.

This victory marks Kuwait Club’s third Gulf region title, having previously won against Manama last year, only to fall short in the final match of the continental championship, once again to Manama. The finalists, alongside Kazma, secured a spot in the final round, which includes three teams from the Central Asian region: Lebanese Riyadi and Al-Hikma, Iranian Gorgan, as well as champions from India and Kazakhstan, next June.

Al-Abyad’s American Mitchell Young, who replaced compatriot Anthony Carr, showcased an outstanding performance. Young's adept leadership in team attacks and active participation in critical moments of the match, netting 25 points, were instrumental in the victory.

Kuwait Club demonstrated early dominance with a robust defense, particularly stifling Manama's key players, Americans Ebenakis and Traven. Meanwhile, Al-Abyad's Cadi Lallan from Haiti, Hamad Adnan, and Turki Hamoud, alongside match standout Young, excelled, closing the first quarter with a 34-31. Kuwait Club ended the second half with a 56-51 advantage. Meanwhile, Manama surged in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 78-77.

In the final quarter, Young delivered an exceptional performance, asserting his presence in critical moments with ball control, penetrative drives, and scores from under the basket, supported by Hamad, Muhammad Adnan, Turki  Hammoud, Abdul Rahman Al-Sahu, Lalan, and Marcus Hunt. This surge reestablished White's ten-point lead to 95-85, securing the victory in the closing moments of the game.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff