It's now 'coming together' for Al Shorta after first win, Momo says

BAGHDAD (Iraq) - Lamont Jones believes that things are now starting to fall into place after Al Shorta broke through in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Season 2, Wednesday.

I just think as long as we continue to get healthy, continue to grow and be together, I think we're gonna be a force to be reckoned with.

 

The veteran guard and his crew gave the Iraqi ball club their first victory in the pan-regional competition by way of 79-52 demolition of Al Wahda at home, finally barging into the winners' circle of the West Asia League after starting out with tough, back-to-back defeats.

"I think we're just coming together," he offered during the postgame press conference of their rousing triumph at home that left their fans inside Al Shaeb Hall beyond elated.

Jones had previously stated in their loss to Al Riyadi last December 21 that Al Shorta would be better prepared entering the second half of their Group Phase campaign.

Back then, the team had just welcomed Ghassan Sarkis, thus the belief of the 33-year-old that they will only grow from there as they play more games under their new head coach.

"We just have to learn and get better, get used to Coach here. Coach is a great basketball mind so I look forward to getting better and I know we'll be better when we come across these guys again," the FIBA WASL returnee was quoted as saying back then.

Fast forward to now and Jones proved to be right. From a team that squandered a nine-point fourth-quarter lead and lost via 74-70 decision in Damascus, Al Shorta showed that they are capable of establishing and protecting big leads - so much that it went to as big as 32.

"I think we came out and played a hell of a game. We played together," he said. "Last time we were in this room, we only had one game with Coach. I think I said then that once we got into this game, we would probably be better prepared. And I think we showed that tonight."

The former Manama floor general played a key role in the triumph as he finished with a season-high 23 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, setting a 27 efficiency (EFF).

But ever the team player, he deflected the credit to how he and the team have immediately bought in to what the decorated bench tactician would want to build.

"As I've said, we only had one game with Coach. With his experience, with the way that we respect him, I think Coach coming in, we were able to come together," he said.

"He's a coach that wants us to be disciplined. So, it works well with me preaching discipline, and I think everybody just took to it, everybody wants to win, we understand how big this is for Iraqi basketball," he furthered. "Hopefully, we can keep it up."

Making Jones even prouder was the way he and Al Shorta defended their old tormentors, which, aside from not being able to mount a comeback like what they did at home, only had one double-digit scorer in Abdulwahab Alhamwi, who finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

"They killed us on the offensive rebounds in the first half and then we came back in the second half. And I think that's what did it for us. Just our togetherness, and just being ready for whatever it was that they threw out," said the native of New York.

"If you look at the stat sheet they only had one person in double figures, which means our defense was amazing tonight. Defense wins games. I think we're all happy with this win."

Now that they have finally notched win no. 1, Jones has become even more confident with their chances moving forward into the FIBA WASL season.

"I've always been confident," he said. "I just think we need to keep the pedal to the metal. We've had a lot of injuries ... since I've been here, and I think we're finally getting back healthy."

"I just think as long as we continue to get healthy, continue to grow and be together," he continued, "I think we're gonna be a force to be reckoned with."

FIBA