Either you win or you learn for Devin Ebanks, Al-Ahli Jeddah

JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Devin Ebanks chose to look positively at Al-Ahli Jeddah's spoiled debut in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Season 2 on Tuesday night.

The ball club from KSA lost to Al Rayyan in a duel between Gulf League newcomers but the former NBA veteran believes that the defeat would only be beneficial for the rest of the team.

"Like I said to Coach (Ali Alsanhani) and the team, I think this was a good thing for us losing this game. Now, we can learn being at such a high level [like] in WASL now," he offered during the postgame press conference of their 98-88 home loss at the Green Basketball Court.

Ebanks himself led the way for Al-Ahli with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 7 rebounds in a performance that saw him will his side back from an early deficit.

After going scoreless in the first quarter, he fired 15 points in the second period alone to wipe out a 15-point gap. He was also the reason why they managed to tie the game up at 58-all during the third quarter, converting a three-point play with under five minutes left.

However, they couldn't get ahead. Al Rayyan, a team filled with much youth, banked on the leadership of veteran internationalist Mouhammad Faye and received an unlikely spark from 15-year-old guard Abdulla Yasseen as well to have the more successful league debut.

"I feel like today was just minor details," said Ebanks, who also collected an assist, a steal, and a block each in 31 minutes of play. "The rebounds we should have caught, especially on defense. They moved the ball very well, and were able to find the open shots and the open layups."

Then again, the 34-year-old forward was hardly feeling down despite the loss, for it is all part of the experience playing in FIBA's latest pan-regional competition.

"For me I think it's just the confidence level," said Ebanks when asked about the takeaways from the defeat. "We're gonna be in a higher competition in WASL now. There's gonna be bigger teams, more teams with more experience. This is gonna be a learning experience for us, this first game."

"Now, like Coach said, we put it in our bag."

Either you win or you learn, as they say.

FIBA