ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Al Riyadi won't just be aiming to keep their mastery of Sagesse SC when the long-time rivals duke it out in the Second Round of the 2024/2025 FIBA WASL-West Asia League on Wednesday night.
The Sub-Zone League's three-peat seekers are looking to secure their ticket to the Final 8 in May this early and they'd be able to accomplish their goal should they once again emerge victorious in the storied 'Beirut Derby.'
"All our eyes are on the Derby," said head coach Ahmad Farran. "I believe - and with a big, big percentage - that we will be sealing our qualification to the Final 8 if we manage to win the game. So this is our focus."
The defending WASL champions could indeed seal their spot to the pan-regional tilt's culminating event with another win against Sagesse, especially after maintaining their perfect standing in the tilt.
Al Riyadi on Tuesday night opened Round 2 with a convincing 94-79 victory of Al Difaa Al Jawi SC at the Stade Nouhad Naufal, collecting their fifth win in as many outings to remain on top of the standings.
Farran himself disclosed that the crew targeted to start off the window with a victory not just to keep their unbeaten streak alive, but to create even more separation from the teams below them as well.
At second in the rankings after Tuesday's fixtures are Tabiat Basketball with a 3-2 record after absorbing a 74-69 defeat at the hands of Amman United Club, who then improved to 2-3 to stay in the race.
Sagesse, meanwhile, are sitting at 2-2 while Al Difaa Al Jawi remain winless with a 0-5 record.
And that's why Farran is anticipating a playoff-esque battle ahead when they take the floor at 21;45 local time, as both the 2024 WASL finalists need the win for each of them - albeit for different reasons.
Not to mention the eagerness of the Green Castle to get back especially after that crushed 86-59 defeat in the First Round - and that 99-92 loss they absorbed in the Lebanese Basketball Championship just last April 5.
"Both teams will come and put on a show tomorrow. Because Sagesse, they need the win," he offered. "And also we need the win to secure our qualification and to go to the last two games without pressure."
But while he anticipates the challenge ahead, Farran stays optimistic at the same time as he knows that their fans would fill up the venue and give support as they will be playing as the 'home team' this time.
"It's a very important game for us, especially that we are playing at 'home' - this game we are the hosts," he said as Sagesse played the hosts last time, the reason why the Stade Nouhad Nawfal was filled with green.
"It's very important to get a win in front of our fans."
FIBA