ZOUK MIKAEL (Lebanon) - Al Riyadi completed a mighty sweep of the 2024/2025 FIBA WASL-West Asia League following a 92-78 victory over Tabiat Basketball at the Stade Nouhad Naufal, Sunday night.
Buoyed by their ever-supportive home fans, the Lebanese Basketball Championship powerhouse seized control in the second period before pulling away in the third en route to finishing the tilt with a pristine 8-0 record.
And that, indeed, serves as an icing on the cake for a crew that successfully secured the 'three-peat' by beating Amman United 24 hours ago, becoming the first-ever ball club to do so in the pan-regional competition.
The Yellow Castle have also become the first to sweep a Sub-Zone League since Kuwait Club did as much back in the 2022/2023 Gulf League inaugurals, adding more to what had been a historic run for the squad.
Soon, they will shift their attention to the highly anticipated WASL Final 8 next month, where the Yellow Castle are out to defend the championship against what should be an interesting field featuring new competitors.
"Great WASL campaign for us," reflected head coach Ahmad Farran. "Winning for the third time in a row, I'm proud of this achievement. It's not easy. Hopefully we keep on pushing until we achieve all our goals this season."
Wael Arakji top-scored for Riyadi with 27 points, starting out hot with two treys to open the game before helping apply the finishing touches. He shot 11-of-15 from the floor and finished with an efficiency of 31.
Amir Saoud delivered 16 points, 13 of which he made in the second chapter alone as he powered the turnaround that saw the reigning BCL Asia champions turn a 29-23 deficit to a 50-41 advantage entering the break.
And that reversal was all they needed to stay ahead the rest of the way, with the troika of Marcus Georges-Hunt, Marin Maric, and Hayk Gyokchyan coming through in the third canto to bring their lead to as high as 18.
Georges-Hunt, now a three-time WASL Sub-Zone League titlist, would go on to finish with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Maric, meanwhile, overcame foul trouble and still chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds as well.
"I'm very happy with this achievement," Arakji said. "This is the third year. With Riyadi, this should be like a given, you know, we're expected win such championships. But now, we need to start shifting our focus to the Final 8."
Tabiat, on the other hand, were led by Ivan Buva with 29 points and 10 rebounds although it was practically a one-man show for the team, with Sina Vahedi serving as his lone backup with 14 points in the defeat.
Still, they showed some fight late in the game when they managed to cut the gap to nine, but Georges-Hunt and Arakji joined hands for a mini-run to restore order, 89-76, with only 1:22 left - all but sealing the deal.
Regardless, the defending Iran Basketball League champions are finishing at second place in the tourney with a 5-3 record and are bound for the Final 8 as well, together with Riyadi and third-placers Sagesse SC (3-5).
For now, the said teams are heading back to their respective domestic leagues before shifting into high gear for WASL's culminating event, the date and venue of which to be announced soon.
FIBA