Meet the FIBA WASL Gulf teams: Muharraq
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) could be another stage for Muharraq to shine on.
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The upcoming FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) season appears to be yet another stage for the storied Al Muharraq Sports Club to shine on.
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History
Muharraq were founded in 1928 and grew as one of the most successful football clubs in Bahrain due to their success locally and overseas. But some fans actually recall them for basketball.
They have won the Bahraini Premier League championship thrice, but their activity beyond local shores has made them recognizable in other parts of Asia. Not only had they seen action in the Arab Club Championship but Muharraq had competed in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup as well.
So, the FIBA WASL, where they are part of the Gulf League, will mark another FIBA club competition stint for the esteemed organization since the 2019 Champions Cup in Thailand.
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Homecourt
Muharraq play their home games at the BBA Arena, also known as the Zain Basketball Arena. They share the same venue with defending FIBA WASL champions Manama.
Path to FIBA WASL
Muharraq's quest for title no. 4 got prolonged after being swept by Manama in the Bahraini Premier League best-of-5 Finals. But the runner-up finish gave them a ticket to FIBA WASL.
Players to watch
Veteran guard Bader Malabes will be leading Muharraq in their maiden FIBA WASL appearance, basically reprising the role he had back in the Champions Cup four years ago.
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Helping him out will 35-year-old forward Tyler Wilkerson, a well-travelled journeyman whose vast experience should come in handy for a team that has four players born in the early-2000s.
The two should easily be recognized particularly by some Filipino fans living in the region, given that both of them spent a part of their careers in the Philippines. Malabes played college ball for De La Salle University during the mid-2000s, while Wilkerson played for San Miguel in the PBA in 2016.
An intriguing piece, meanwhile, is Baqer Isa, formerly a Bahraini youth team standout who averaged 11.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship.
FIBA