MANAMA (Bahrain) - Manama find themselves squaring up against a fellow flag bearer anew in another bid for FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) glory.
The pan-regional competition's first champions are still in pursuit of their maiden Gulf League title after falling short in the last two seasons, but they will have to go through the wringer first - beginning with somebody who knows them so well.
Manama are set to battle Al Ahli Club in the best-of-3 Qualification to Semi-Finals of the 2024/2025 Sub-Zone League's Final Phase, which these teams would actually raise the curtains of on February 3, Monday, 19:30 local time at the BBA Arena.
Coach Linos Gavriel and Co. are no strangers anymore in figuring in an all-Bahraini clash in WASL, having done so just last season when they took on Muharraq in the Gulf League Semi-Finals and eventually came out triumphant at the end.
But what makes the upcoming matchup all the more interesting is that it would be a clash between the two winningest teams in the Bahraini Premier League with a total of 45 championships between them, with Manama accounting for 25 of it.
It would also be a rematch of the 2023/2024 Premier League best-of-5 Finals, wherein the blue-and-red squad won by way of a gentleman's sweep.
There should be no question about how intense the series could get given their history but for Gavriel, it brings a lot of pride for the whole country, too, for it further adds to the strides that Bahrain basketball have hit over the past few years.
"It's really important for the country," said the veteran mentor. "Let's not forget that in the last three or four years, we won in WASL. The national team also played in the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which was huge, and won the GCC."
"Then us competing in big competitions like the Intercontinental Cup - the World Cup of Clubs of FIBA - then Muharraq participating in WASL. And now, Ahli and Manama in the Qualification to Semi-Finals. It's huge, and good for the country," he added.
As proud as he is, it isn't lost on Gavriel the job that he and Manama will have to accomplish if they are to go deep again in the Gulf League Final Phase.
That, of course, is overcoming the challenge imposed by Al Ahli, who are coming into the series with sky-high morale after reigning victorious in their domestic league meeting just last January 28, 84-76, behind a late-game pull-away.
Elijah Thomas starred in that win with 28 points and 18 rebounds, with Ahmed Alderazi and the other locals delivering nicely as well. And those names, for sure, will once again be leaned on as they eye a repeat against their fellow powerhouse.
It has been quite the turnaround for Al Ahli after findiing themselves shaken just last December following the shock exit of erstwhile head coach Jad El Hajj. and credit should go to the coaches led by Abdulkareem Alanzor for keeping the ship steady.
They did hit some few bumps along the way but still proved good enough to reach the Gulf League Final Phase, beating Al Bashaer to clinch the third seed in Group B.
But of course, the team is fully aware of the test that lies ahead, for they know how and why Manama have been one of the dreaded teams in WASL.
"We know how strong teams are," said Alderazi. "And let me talk about the five or six games we had. We didn't play well, we lost two or three points, but we are better than this as Coach said. We're getting better. We look forward to the play-in."
Look no further than the recent Group Phase for further proof. Gavriel and Co. started out with back-to-back defeats, but the Bahraini league's return plus their success in the Super Cup - at home as well - helped the crew regain their form.
They went on to sweep their next four games in Group B, eventually securing the no. 2 seed in the pool - and clinch a spot in the Qualification to Semi-Finals.
It may not be an ideal spot to be in after booking a direct trip to the Gulf League Semi-FInals last season following a sweep of Group B, but Manama are embracing the challenge as they've been in that position back in the WASL inaugurals.
So, will that experience play a role? Or will Al Ahli pull of a massive upset? What's certain, though, is that the series has the makings of being tightly fought.
FIBA