Seeb post exciting victory over Yemen's Al Mina

Muscat: Oman’s representatives, Seeb and Al Bashayer, continued their participation in the 37th edition of the Arab Men’s Basketball Clubs Championship hosted by Dubai. Seeb succeeded in overturning a deficit into an exciting victory over Yemen’s Al Mina with a score of 84–80, while Al Bashayer narrowly lost to Qatar’s Al Rayyan 79–88 in the third-round competitions.

With this victory, Seeb raised their tally to 4 points to occupy third place in Group C, while Al Bashayer reached 3 points and placed fourth in Group D.

In the first match between Seeb and Al Mina, the game was fluctuating in level, as Al Mina managed to lead in the first and second quarters, before Seeb rose in the second half, imposed a tie in the third quarter, and then settled the match in the fourth quarter with a 4-point margin.

Al Bashayer and Al Rayyan players in action.

Seeb’s standout player was professional Jawad Atkoya, scoring 28 points, along with teammate Joshu Tagano who scored 24 points, in addition to Mazen al Hadidi and Rashid al Zuhaibi who each added 9 points. On the side of Yemen’s Al Mina, player Mohamed Ezzat stood out with 26 points, professional Marco with 20 points and Nasser Hammoud with 17 points.

The first quarter ended with Al Mina leading 20–17, and they maintained their advantage in the second quarter to finish the first half ahead 40–38. However, Seeb became more active in the third quarter, scoring 23 points compared to Al Mina’s 21 to tie the score at 61–61. In the last quarter, Seeb imposed their offensive and defensive style, scoring 23 points compared to Al Mina’s 19, to end the match 84–80 in their favour.

A Seeb player attempts a basket against Al Mina.

AL BASHAYER LOSE DESPITE LATE SURGE

In the second match, Al Bashayer lost to Qatar’s Al Rayyan 79–88 despite a strong comeback in the second half.

The game began with obvious confusion on Al Bashayer’s side, which Al Rayyan exploited to impose full control in the first and second quarters. The first quarter ended 25–10, and in the second, Al Rayyan added 18 points against only 8 for Al Bashayer, finishing the first half ahead 48–18 with a 30-point lead.

In the third quarter, Al Bashayer’s performance improved noticeably, managing to score 34 points against Al Rayyan’s 22, reducing the gap to 70–52. They continued their resurgence in the fourth quarter, scoring 27 points to Al Rayyan’s 18, but the Qatari team’s experience ultimately gave them the edge to win by 9 points.

Leading Al Bashayer’s offence was professional Samja Hines with 22 points, followed by Said al Saadi with 21, Idris Mansour with 18 and Osama al Riyami with 11 points. On the Al Rayyan side, Karts Raven scored 18 points, Abdullah Yassin 15 and Romero Malik 13.