MANAMA (Bahrain) - Lebanon moved one win away from sweeping Group F of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers after withstanding a tough late-game challenge by a revenge-seeking Bahrain, 84-78, at the Khalifa Sport City Friday night.
The Cedars took control early and appeared to be cruising toward another double-digit victory when they built a 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in the game, only for the home team to fight back and impose a major threat.
They got within just four, 82-78, behind Ahmed Haji with 15 seconds to spare, but that proved to be the closest they could get as Sergio El Darwich got fouled shortly after and went on to ice the match with a perfect trip to the free throw line.
The Lebanese stretched their unbeaten streak to five following the win and will look to beat UAE at home at Zouk Mikael February 24 to complete the pool sweep.
Veteran center Ater Majok top-scored for the side of Coach Miodrag Perisic with 18 points on a near-perfect 7-of-8 shooting from the floor and 5 rebounds.
Wael Arakji delivered 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, netting an efficiency of 24 as the star guard dazzled anew with a bevy of highlight-worthy plays.
Amir Saoud made 13 points. El Darwich supplied 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Gerad Hadidian added 11 as five players finished in double figures in the win.
Mosti Rashed, on the other hand, fired 22 points on 23 shots to lead Bahrain. Devon Chism had 21 points and 12 rebounds while Haji chipped in 18.
With the defeat, the charges of Coach Jad El Hajj fell to 2-3, thus making their game against Syria, also set February 24, in Qatar an important one as it will be a virtual knockout for the second Asia Cup qualifying berth from this group.
Syria overwhelm UAE
Because the Syrians have gone 2-3 as well following a convincing 86-61 victory over the skidding UAE at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall in Doha.
A second-quarter pull-away proved to be the difference as the squad never lifted its foot off the gas pedal en route to chalking up their second win of the tournament against the same team they actually got their first - a 78-63 result in Window 1.
New guy Myron Gordon proved to be the jolt that sparked new hope to the aspiring side as he led Syria with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
Omar Idelbi notched 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tarek Aljabi made 10 while Omar Cheikh Ali flirted with a double-double as he had 9 points and 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, UAE were led by DeMarco Dickerson with 20 points and 7 rebounds in the loss that dropped their record to 1-4, making their fixture against Lebanon a must-win if Coach Ben Slimane & Co. would want to keep their chances alive.
FIBA