JEDDAH, 19 May 2007 — Archrivals Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli sealed an intriguing semifinal showdown while Kuwait of Kuwait won a knockout game in overtime against UAE’s Sharjah 98-87 at the close of the quarterfinal round yesterday in the ART sponsored 20th Arab Basketball Confederation Championship at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here.

Ahli won in a do-or-die situation against Al-Jazirah of Egypt 82-80 to qualify second from Group 2 and now meet Ittihad in another no-tomorrow final four match at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Ittihad qualified first from Group 1 despite losing their final quarterfinal game against erstwhile winless Al-Arabi 94-71.

The match was an Ittihad giveaway given that they rested their starters for the crucial semifinal battle in the tournament that ends on Monday with the final matches. Defending champions Al-Riadi from Lebanon did an Ittihad also resting their first liners in an 83-71 defeat by Morocco’s Raja’a.

Despite the defeat, their first in three games, Riadi qualified first from Group 2 to meet the second semifinalist from Group 1, Kuwait. Kuwait and Sharjah entered the game with identical 1-1 win-loss records. Egypt jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first period by repeatedly scoring in the paint. Ahli’s determination evened the score by the end of the quarter 20-20. Egypt went back to their game plan and at half time led by eight 43 to 35. The third quarter ended with Egypt leading by five 67-62.

Baskets were traded till there were three minutes left in the fourth quarter. After being down 8 points Ahli tied the game. Till the last minute it went back and forth. Waleed Al Medani hit 2 foul shots; Egypt scored again, another foul sent Jamel Staten to the line. He converted giving Ahli a 2 point lead with 4 ticks left and time ran out. Ahli’s Kurtis Heywood was the hero of the night scoring 31 points and played half the game with 4 fouls and didn’t foul out. Jarred Merrill had 20 points 9 rebounds with 2 steals and 2 assists. Jamel Staten had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Egypt’s Ahmed Mohamed Al Bari had 23 points and Ahmed Mohamed Saqer had 15, and Mohamed Muneer 13.

Shamgod took matters into his own hands as Kuwait wiggled out of a tight battle with Sharjah in the five-minute extra period. Shamgod scored 22 points. Regulation play ended 83-83.