Muharraq Snatch Khalifa Bin Salman Cup in Electric Final
Muharraq fought back to beat Manama 89-86 in an explosive final on Wednesday night, lifting the Khalifa Bin Salman Basketball Cup at Khalifa Sports City Arena.
Trailing by seven at halftime (41-48), Muharraq stormed back in front of a deafening crowd, with American guard Myron Gordon dropping 30 points in a performance that defined the comeback. Mohammed Nasser (13 points), Mohammed Ameer (12), Tony Mitchell (11), and Ali Husain Ali all hit double digits in scoring to seal the deal.
Manama's Tony Carr led all scorers with 28 points but couldn't drag his side over the finish line.
A Crown in Front of Kings of the Court
The final unfolded in a jubilant atmosphere, as fans packed the venue, waving club scarves and erupting with every big play. Adding to the spectacle was the high-profile guest list, which included FIBA president Shaikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, Arab Basketball Federation president Major General Ismail Al Gergawi, and Saudi Olympic Committee vice president Prince Fahad bin Jalawi.
The final also coincided with the FIBA Congress and the Hall of Fame ceremony, further boosting Bahrain's growing status as a regional sporting powerhouse. BOC secretary general Faris Al Kooheji personally welcomed the global basketball delegation at Bahrain International Airport, conveying greetings from Supreme Council for Youth and Sport first deputy chairman and BOC president HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Glory Lifted, Respect Shared
At the post-match ceremony, Bahrain Olympic Committee vice president Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa presented the trophy to Muharraq Club and praised both teams for their elite-level basketball and sportsmanship. He hailed Muharraq's win as a reward for the club's season-long commitment and also lauded Manama for their high standard of play and professionalism.
A Night That Meant More
"This win reflects the hard work of Muharraq's management and technical staff this season," said Shaikh Isa, adding that the packed arena and seamless organisation "show how far Bahraini basketball has come in terms of performance and event hosting." With the world watching and the stakes sky-high, Bahrain delivered a final for the ages, and Muharraq stood tallest when it mattered most.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Spain's Alex Palou wins third consecutive IndyCar season title
AFP | Los Angeles Angeles Spain's Alex Palou captured his third consecutive IndyCar season title and fourth in five campaigns by finishing third in Sunday's Portland Grand Prix, which was won by Australian Will Power. Palou became only the fourth driver in IndyCar history to win three consecutive season crowns after American Ted Horn, France's Sebastien Bourdais and Scotland's Dario Franchitti. 'It's unbelievable. It's crazy. I couldn't be happier right now,' Palou said. 'This has been an amazing season, an amazing five years with CGR (Chip Ganassi Racing).
Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Alcaraz battles as Shelton, Zverev race into Cincinnati third round
Carlos Alcaraz fought through a second-set slump to post a 'rollercoaster' 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur in his opening match Sunday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open. The Spaniard, playing his first tournament since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, raced through the first set but completely lost his way in the second, dropping his serve twice against the 33-year-old Bosnian. Alcaraz regained his intensity and cut down his errors in the third as a seventh ace took him to a match point that was converted when Dzumhur fired wide. 'It was just a rollercoaster,' said the second seed, who was winning his 12th straight match at the Masters 1000 level after taking the titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. 'Lots of good feelings, bad feelings, back to the good ones. I am happy to get the win at the end. I know that I have chances to do better.' Alcaraz committed 44 unforced errors and said conditions in Cincinnati, where he was runner-up in 2023, were always tricky. 'The ball flies a lot, goes super fast,' he said. 'You have to be ready to be in a good position for each shot and that is really difficult to do.' Third seed Alexander Zverev found things more straightforward, winning 6-3, 6-3 against US wild card Nishesh Basavareddy in the night session. Zverev needed just 66 minutes to get past Basavareddy, a 20-year-old ranked 109th in the world. The German put 41 of his 50 first serves in play and didn't face a break point. Basavareddy saved one match point with a blistering service return but Zverev secured the win with his 12th ace. American Ben Shelton, coming off his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto, eased through 6-3, 3-1 when Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired with a knee injury. Shelton's early night was a boon after a draining Toronto tournament which only ended on Thursday night. ' I t ' s not easy to play a couple of days after winning any title,' Shelton said. 'I feel for Camilo and it's obviously not the way that you want to go through. I hope that he has a quick recovery.' Asked about the tape on his own right thigh, Shelton said he has 'a few muscle things' going on. 'The legs take a lot of force,' he said. Sixth seed Alex de Minaur of Australia, the Washington champion, lost to American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. But another Australian, Adam Walton, secured a first top-50 win of his career with a 6-7 (0/7), 6-4, 6-1 upset of former world number one and 2019 Cincy cham- pion Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Gauff battles through In the women's draw, French Open champion Coco Gauff battled through a tough first set to beat China's Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2. Gauff, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2023 and went on to claim her first Grand Slam title at the US Open that year, had to grind her way through the first set. But the number two seed steadied in the second to run out the winner in 71 minutes. 'It was a rough start,' Gauff said. 'But it was about just trusting myself and the work we've done in practice.' Third seed Jessica Pegula, runner-up last year to Aryna Sabalenka, defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3. Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, finalist last season at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, also advanced, beating Maria Sakkari of Greece 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5).
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Break Through the Barrier
TDT | Manama First win in Cairo keeps spirits alive despite exit from main round After back-to-back defeats to Japan (32-30) and Egypt (36-28), Bahrain's U19s hopes of reaching the main round at the 11th IHF Men's Youth World Championship had already been dashed. But yesterday at Cairo Stadium, the Bahrainis refused to go quietly, battling past South Korea 36-33 in front of 4,000 fans to claim their first win of the tournament. Fast Start, Firm Finish Coached by Raed Al Marzouq and assisted by Ahmed Tarada, Bahrain led 16-13 at halftime and never relinquished control. Their attack clicked from all angles — 67% shooting efficiency on 54 attempts — and they punished Korea with a 16/23 breakthrough success rate. Playmaker Abbas Ali was flawless (9/9), while Mohamed Aadam's seven goals from the line were a constant menace. Salman Al Showaikh was named man of the match after scoring 8 goals from 9 attempts, including six from the backcourt. He has been Bahrain's top performer throughout Group G. Korea's Resistance Korea, also destined for the President's Cup bracket, kept the game tight thanks to Kang Juhyeon (8/15) and Ju Yongchan (5/6). Yet their 53% attack efficiency and occasional defensive lapses against Bahrain's wing play proved costly. Goalkeeper Hong Uiseok's 11 saves offered brief reprieve but couldn't turn the tide. Stat Sheet Story Bahrain's team shooting chart read like a coach's dream: perfect from the penalty line (4/4), 78% from the wings (7/9), and 100% on fastbreaks (1/1). Korea's backcourt fired more often but finished at 43% from 9 metres. Haider Salman's 13 saves anchored Bahrain's defense, most of them at critical junctures in the second half. What's Next With qualification out of reach, Bahrain now turn to the President's Cup, where placement from 17th–32nd remains at stake. For a young side that's been through narrow losses and heavy pressure, this first taste of victory could be the catalyst for a strong finish.
