Dubai: American Jahmar Young sank two crucial three-pointers in the second over-time to hand Lebanon’s Sporting Club a record sixth crown with an exciting 120-118 win over arch-rivals Sagesse at the 26th Dubai International Basketball Tournament at Al Ahli Club’s indoor hall on Saturday.
Winners here in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2013, the 24-time Lebanese champions were unstoppable despite a stirring display from their arch-rivals in the final period of regulation time. After trailing Sporting by 12 points at 54-66 at the end of the third quarter, Sagesse came alive through top-scorer Terell Stoglin’s amazing 58 points, including ten three-pointers and four rebounds.
Smarting from their 23-point loss against Sagesse in the Lebanese League last week, Sporting ensured there were no hiccups this time as they made a strong early impression and then managed to hold out till the end for sweet revenge and deny them a second title in Dubai.
Ebrahim Abdul Malik, General Secretary, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW) was joined by Saeed Hareb, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), Lebanon’s Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Muttalib Hinnawi and Esmail Al Gergawi, President, UAE Basketball Association, in presenting the winner’s trophy to Sporting Club.
Sporting were headed to their sixth title with 85-82 on the board. But Daniel Faris’s triple on the buzzer forced the tie and sent the encounter into over-time. Both added eleven points apiece in the first over-time period to stay level 96-96.
It was then that man of the match and MVP Jahmar Young came up with a couple of three-pointers taking the encounter away from Sagesse. “I believe this was the best of basketball we have seen here for a long time. This is what puts the sport above everything, including some questionable decisions from the referees that seemed to go against us every time,” Sagesse coach Fouad Abou Chacra told Gulf News.
“But I am glad the two teams stuck to basketball and things stayed within control. Most often it is tough to play against six [including the referee]. I am proud of my players and the way they fought till the final second,” he added.
Winners of this annual inter-club tournament on five occasions – the most recent one also coming at the cost of Sagesse in 2013 – Sporting had more reason to be content following their 23-point loss against the current Lebanon League leaders. “Not many thought we would win this tournament. But we always believed we are good enough for anyone and it is this belief that took us home tonight,” Sporting coach Slobodan Subotic said.
“We have not had the best start to our season, and hopefully this win will give us the necessary competition to bring out the best from my players,” he added.
