Manama lift Super Cup for fourth straight year

Manama skipper Mohammed Hussain lift the Zain Super Cup in the presence of officials

Manama lifted the Zain Super Cup on Wednesday night after defeating bitter rivals Muharraq 72-66. It was a game of runs between two of the kingdom’s top clubs, and it was Manama who came up with the most crucial run in the end en route to securing the prestigious trophy for the fourth year in a row. The Super Cup is the traditional curtain-raiser to the new Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) season. After leading by as many as 15 points in the third period, Manama appeared to be cruising to another trophy to add to their already glittering collection. But Muharraq would not go down easily and were able to fight back to within five points heading into the final quarter. Muharraq cut the deficit to just two, 60-62, after an Ali Abbas three-pointer with just over five minutes remaining in the game. But Manama responded well and baskets from American professional Wayne Chism and Bahrainis Ahmed Najaf and Ahmed Aziz in a 9-2 rally proved decisive and it helped them go back ahead 71-62 with just over two minutes to play. Muharraq got back to within six in the final minute but could not reduce the gap any further. 

Manama team members celebrate after the final with the Super Cup and their individual medals

Manama, coached by Bahraini Aqeel Milad, had a balanced attack in the contest and finished with four players in double figures. Chism had 14 points and 14 rebounds while skipper Mohammed Hussain added 12. Ameer and new addition Hussain Shaker contributed 10 points apiece, with Shaker also dishing out eight assists. For Muharraq, who are coached by Alen Abaz from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ahmed Hassan with their top scorer with 16 points and five assists before fouling out. Bader Abdulla Malabes had 12 points, Ali Abbas came off the bench to add 11, and former NBA player Sean Williams finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks in the loss. Following the Super Cup, the stage is now set for the Zain Bahrain Basketball League, which is scheduled to tip off October 1.