Al Riyadi Beirut moved within one win of the Final Four after securing a convincing 107-83 victory over Beirut Club in Game 2 of their Final 8 playoff series.
The defending champions now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup and will have an opportunity to complete the sweep in Game 3.
Al Riyadi once again showcased its depth and firepower, placing six players in double figures while controlling the game for long stretches.
New signing Dusan Miletic continued his impressive start with the Yellow Castle, leading the team with 22 points and 9 rebounds while adding 2 steals and a block. The Serbian big man has made an immediate impact since arriving in Beirut and continues to prove why he was one of the most sought-after additions of the postseason.
Lebanese superstar Wael Arakji orchestrated the offense brilliantly, finishing with 19 points and 10 assists. The veteran guard controlled the tempo throughout the game and repeatedly created opportunities for his teammates.
Karim Zeinoun delivered another strong two-way performance, recording 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals, while Amir Saoud added 13 points off the bench.
Kouat Noi contributed 12 points and 3 rebounds, and Hayk Gyokchyan also chipped in with 12 points as Al Riyadi’s balanced attack proved too much for Beirut Club to handle.
Despite the defeat, Beirut Club received a massive individual performance from Devin Ebanks. The former NBA forward finished with a game-high 32 points and 7 rebounds, doing everything possible to keep his team competitive.
However, Beirut struggled to contain Al Riyadi’s offensive rhythm and depth, as the defending champions repeatedly found scoring contributions from multiple players throughout the contest.
With the victory, Al Riyadi now stands just one win away from securing its place in the Final Four and continuing its quest for another Lebanese Basketball League championship.
Beirut Club, meanwhile, faces a must-win situation heading into Game 3. Another defeat would bring its season to an end.
For now, the momentum firmly belongs to Al Riyadi, which continues to look every bit like a championship contender as the playoffs progress.