FIBA WASL Season 2: Rivalries set to be rekindled in Gulf League

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Old foes are set to cross paths once again in the much-awaited Season 2 of the FIBA WASL Gulf League commencing in October.

The full schedule is yet to roll out but the Sub-Zone leagues draw were more than enough to spark excitement, as fans can now look forward to marquee games featuring clubs bound for rematches.

Also, the upcoming season could create newer rivalries, especially with new teams looking to give the returnees a run for their money.

Manama vs Kazma

Manama made history as the first-ever FIBA WASL Final 8 champions and that ascension to the top began from their dramatic come-from-behind win over Kazma in the Gulf League's best-of-3 Qualification to Semi-Finals phase.

The Bahraini side lost the series opener but Lamont 'Momo' Jones and the rest of the crew bounced back in the following bout. Momentum would swing their way as they went on to win Game 3 at home, 82-79, to complete the fightback.

Coach Linos Gavriel's team emerged triumphant in a series against a Kuwaiti squad that was, at the time, a favorite to go deep in the Sub-Zone league as they got revitalized with the arrival of Afrobasket legend Salah Mejri.

Now, Kazma are definitely itching to exact vengeance. Both teams are set to meet each other in the Group Phase as they're pooled in Group B.

Kazma vs Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai

Kazma are in the center of another clash to look forward to in Group B as they're bound to play against Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai once again.

Both clubs faced one another twice in Group B of the inaugural FIBA WASL-Gulf League season and Season 2 would serve as their tiebreaker of sorts.

Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai won their first duel last December 26 at home, 91-86, behind Qais Omar Alshabebi, Brandon Triche, and Nick Minnerath as the trio combined for 71 points.

It was the UAE champions' second win of the season and they subsequently chalked up two more victories, but the unbeaten streak soon got snapped by Kazma.

With Mejri and Shane Rector leading the way, the Kuwaiti side won, 98-86, collecting one of their more important wins after a sluggish start to their campaign.

Kuwait Club versus the new teams

Kuwait Club are coming into Season 2 undefeated in the Sub-Zone league with a 10-0 record, and 3 newcomers are out to put an end to that streak.

The reigning FIBA WASL Gulf League champions are slotted in Group A together with Al Ahli Jeddah, Al Rayyan, and Muharraq, which are all hungry to prove that they deserve to be in FIBA WASL.

Al Ahli Jeddah, for one, are looking to add another title to their resume after winning their first-ever Saudi Premier League championship in the 2022-23 season.

Al Rayyan, on the other hand, would love to win another FIBA club competition the way they did in the 2002 and 2005 editions of the Asia Champions Cup.

Another former Asia Champions Cup campaigner in Muharraq, ultimately, are coming into the season seeking glory after settling for a runner-up finish to Manama in the 2022-23 Bahraini Premier League.

FIBA