DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - There were no let-ups whatsoever this time around as Lebanon dominated Syria, 89-64, at a packed Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall on Monday night to formalize their entry to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.
The Cedars started out with 15 unanswered points and that dictated how the game would go, leaving the Eagles without an answer the rest of the way as they made sure that no repeat of their Window 1 encounter in Damascus would happen.
It could be recalled that the Syrians threatened with a major fourth-quarter scare then as they fed off the energy of the home crowd, only to lose steam at the end.
But apparently, that served as a huge lesson for the Lebanese, and that was evident in their rematch with how they kept their foot on the gas - especially defensively - even in the dying minutes to put together a strong finish and secure the triumph.
Now they're bound for the Asia Cup for the fourth straight time and 11th overall, giving themselves a chance to improve their runner-up finish from the 2022 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia, where they fell just short of ousting Australia from their throne.
Lebanon have become the latest to qualify for the continental showpiece, joining hosts Saudi Arabia, Japan, the Boomers, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Omari Spellman top-billed for the Cedars with 24 points and 12 rebounds as his imposing presence in the paint not only limited the opposition's rim pressure but also enabled the squad to control - and win - the boards via wide margin, 57-24.
Reigning Asia Cup MVP Wael Arakji finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Ali Haidar flirted with a double-double as he tallied 13 points and 8 rebounds.
Sergio El Darwich added 11 points and 8 rebounds for the side of Coach Miodrag Perisic, who remained perfect in the Qualifiers at 4-0 to keep the lead in Group F.
Syria, on the other hand, were led by Jeremiah Hardy with a game-high 26 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists in the defeat - their third in four games.
FIBA