Muharraq drag undermanned Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai to Game 3

DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Muharraq blew out an undermanned Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai on the road, 116-75, to send their Qualification to Semi-Finals series to a decider in the FIBA WASL-Gulf League Season 2, Monday night at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.

Game heroes: Bader Malabes powered the Bahraini side with 31 points, 11 of which he made in the opening period to power their strong 21-9 start that set the tone for the rout. It is the veteran floor general's second 30-point performance this season.

Husain Ali turned in his best showing in the league thus far with 25 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field, including five from downtown, on top of 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in a turnover-less performance in 37 minutes as a starter.

Ricky Ledo registered 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists for the first league triple-double since Perry Petty in Game 2 of the West Asia Final between Shahrdary Gorgan and eventual champs Al Riyadi last season. Ledo went on to earn STEP AHEAD Player of the Game honors.

Mohamed Juma supplied 21 points, spiked by five triples, and 8 rebounds as the four starters outscored the entire Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai by combining for 100 points.

Turning point: Muharraq did take control in the first quarter, but it wasn't until the following period where they broke the game wide open. Leading by only seven, Juma would spark a huge run that suddenly gave themselves a commanding 54-30 lead with 1:33 on the clock.

The crew can't seem to do no wrong afterwards. They reached the century mark still with 6:05 left in the game, 100-63, following Malabes' three-point play conversion.

Stats don't lie: Muharraq's big offensive night saw the club reset the most three-pointers made by a team in a FIBA WASL game with 21, with 18 coming from the aforementioned four. The squad was also locked in on the other end as they finished with 16 steals.

They said: "The season was saved tonight, It was a must-win game for us. There's no other option for us than winning. I give credit to my teammates. Everyone stepped up and played big." - Bader Malabes, Muharraq.

"We are hoping to have a full team for the next game. The team doctor is working on it. We still have one week to recover for Game 3." - Oualid Zrida, Head Coach, Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai

"It's very tough. We missed so many players, they got injured. But it's not an excuse. We're gonna try to correct our mistakes and next game, we're gonna try to win it." Assane Boye, Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai

FIBA