Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Al Riyadi Beirut were crowned champions of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship after defeating Sharjah Club 88–75 in a thrilling final at Al Jazira club’s indoor arena before a large crowd.
Sponsored by ADQ, the second staging of the event was organised by Al Wahda club in collaboration with Global Active Sports, supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and supervised by the UAE Basketball Federation.
Croatian player Ivan Buva of Al Riyadi was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the final, while his teammate Haik Gyokchian took the tournament’s MVP title. The head coach of their side and Lebanon national team, Ahmad Farran, was adjudged the best coach in Abu Dhabi.
Stedmon Lemon from Champville earned the top-scorer award, and his teammate Basil Harfouch won the best three-point shooter title. It showed that individual brilliance cannot be enough in a team sport. Kavell Bigby-Williams of Sharjah was named the Best Defensive Player, while Al Riyadi’s Amir Saoud received the Best Sixth Man award.
The final produced high-level basketball between two familiar opponents who had met in the group stage, where Sharjah edged out a narrow 83–80 win. Both teams started with strong defensive intensity.
Midway through the second quarter, Al Riyadi took a 36–32 lead, prompting Sharjah’s coach Abdulhamid Al Hosani to call a timeout. The Lebanese side maintained their momentum to close out the first half ahead 47–36.
Al Riyadi focused on attacking inside the paint in the opening quarters, attempting only two three-pointers – one converted by Gyokchian – while Sharjah relied on shooting from the perimeter, taking 13 three-point attempts but converting only two.
The same trend continued in the third quarter, which ended 65–56 in favour of Al Riyadi. The Lebanese champions extended their lead to 82–64 in the final period and held firm despite Sharjah’s late efforts, sealing an 88–75 victory and lifting the title.
