JEDDAH, 3 June 2006 — Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia brought down Iran’s Saba Battery in overtime 90-86 and hosts Al-Qadisiya earned their first victory by humbling Young Cagers of India 107-79 on the secocnd day of Thursday
of the 17th Asian Clubs Basketball Championships in Kuwait city.
Last game of the day featured FastLink Jordan and Syria’ s Al-Jala’a. FastLink demonstrated great all-around skills, making themselves the tournament’s favorites. Led by Nate Johnson, who scored 27 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, FastLink cruised to a 96-72 win.
In the other game, Al-Rayyan of Qatar gave Sagesse from Lebanon a big lesson in basketball by beating them by 11 points 75-64. The range was more than 20 points during the game but Sagesse closed the gap in the final minutes. The Lebanese took their second consecutive defeat in 24 hours that will knock them out of round two The first quarter ended 21-21. Ittihad and Saba traded baskets for most of the second period. Nearing the end of the quarter Ittihad progressively went ahead by seven points ending the half 43-36. Saba were still in the game and the battle stayed close with the Iranians cutting the lead to five by the end of the third 63-58. Saba pushed till the final seconds of the fourth keeping the crowd excited.
Regulation time ended with an 80-80 score. Ittihad snatched the game in overtime winning by four points. Ittihad’s coach Argentine Daniel Maffei praised his charges because with a lack of practice and little preparation the team’s enormous heart and tactical execution would make any coach happy. Ittihad’s Marlon Palmer scored 23 points for the winners, while Jaime Lloreda added a double double of 20 points and 20 rebounds.
