Dubai: Lebanon's Riyadhi picked up their third title with a well-fought and pulsating 77-75 win over Jordan's Zain in the final of the 19th Dubai International Basketball Championship for the United Holdings Cup here late last night.
Trailing through the first three quarters, the Lebanese - champions here in 2005 and 2006 - upped the tempo in the fourth quarter to run away with the championship.
Shaikh Saeed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the winners' trophy in the presence of Esmail Al Gergawi, president of the UAE Basketball Association, and Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, general secretary of the Dubai Sports Council.
Pouring in
Nat Johnson poured in a couple of triples to help the Jordanians go clear 14-6 with barely four minutes into the opening quarter. Zain added 6 unanswered points for a 20-6 lead. Riyadhi tried to piece their game together, but only managed to stay in arrears by 7 points at 17-24 at the end of the quarter.
A couple of triples from Scottie Thurman, early into the second quarter, cut down the cushion only to see Rashim Right reply with two of his own to maintain a six-point lead (32-26) for the Jordanians.
In the third quarter, Riyadhi did just enough to draw closer every time they attempted this.
Final: Riyadhi (Lebanon) beat Zain (Jordan) 77-75.
Third place: Saba Batteries (Iran) beat Al Jallaa (Syria) 89-77.
