BEIRUT (Lebanon) - It’s only Tabiat Basketball’s first season in the FIBA WASL West Asia League, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they’ve started.
New to the competition? Yes. But already playing with the confidence of a team built to compete at the highest level.
Through two games, Tabiat is undefeated, opening their campaign with an 88-87 win over Sagesse and a 92-88 victory over Al Difaa. Two wins in, and they’ve made it clear - they’re not here just to participate. They’re here to challenge the region’s best.]
I hope with Tabiat to make good memories in WASL.
Amir Gholizadeh: Birthday Boy
Amir Gholizadeh celebrated his 25th birthday with the win over Al Difaa and is also bringing experience from his previous two WASL seasons to help this new team. He's only looking to get better and better.
"I feel like I always got more room to improve. Every year, the competition is getting better, so I'm looking forward to getting better with the new players and more experienced players," Gholizadeh said before the tournament.
He scored 5 points in each of the first two games, staying consistent in his role. But his focus goes far beyond personal numbers.
When asked what his wish was for this season, his answer was simple: "There's only one wish to say. I hope we win it all, definitely."
Sina Vahedi: The breakout star
Last season, Sina Vahedi broke through with Gorgan. Now, in his second WASL season, he’s showing that was just the beginning.
Vahedi opened the year with 11 points and 7 assists against Sagesse and followed it with 23 points, four three-pointers, 4 assists, and 2 steals against Al Difaa.
"I had good memories with Gorgan in WASL," Vahedi said. "It was so tough for us because we went to the BCL Asia and we [made it to the Semi-Finals] in the end..."
"All I did, especially through last year, was practice, practice, practice," Vahedi said. "Focus on my game on both ends of the floor. Playing for Coach Shahintab helped me learn and be better on both sides, which is my main goal."
So far, it’s paying off.
And as far as worrying or anticipating about opponents in particular? He keeps it simple.
"No, I just do my best," claimed Vahedi.
Ivan Buva: The Veteran Anchor
With so much young talent, Tabiat is counting on veteran leadership from Ivan Buva, and he’s delivered in a big way.
Buva opened the season with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists against Sagesse, then followed it up with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals against Al Difaa.
"The game was very physical," Buva said after the opener. "We showed character. We didn’t give up."
Against Al Difaa, when the game tightened in the fourth quarter, Buva kept the team calm.
"We controlled the game more or less 30 minutes," he said. "Then we kind of relaxed because we ended up in their tempo. We can't allow ourselves to play in the opponent's tempo - we need to play in our tempo."
For Buva, it’s all about teaching his teammates how to manage the big moments and keep building.
"I try to teach them that we cannot win immediately in the first five minutes," he said. "We have to build from every possession."
Undefeated and Locked In
Tabiat’s debut couldn’t have started better, but the real challenges are just ahead.
On March 7, they take on the defending WASL, West Asia, and BCL Asia champions Al Riyadi. The very next day, they’ll finish Round 1 against Amman United, led by Jordan’s top backcourt of Freddy Ibrahim and Amin Abu Hawwas.
Two wins down, but the toughest battles are still to come. Tabiat is ready.
It's always good to play in front of the fans.
"It's always good to play in front of the fans, obviously," he said after defeated Sagesse. "...With the fans, [there's more dimension]. It gives you boost, regarding if it's against or for you. It's motivation to fight more to show that they motivate you, too.
"If [there are] no fans, there's no point of playing basically," Buva said. "For who are you playing? For the fans. To entertain them."
New team. New era. Tough mentality.
FIBA