Central Club booked its place in the Lebanese Basketball League Final Four after defeating Hoops 68-62 in Game 3, completing a dominant 3-0 sweep in their Final 8 playoff series.
Despite trailing by 11 points at halftime, Central showed resilience and championship character, mounting a second-half comeback before taking control in the final quarter.
The turning point came in the closing minutes when Rayvonte Rice once again delivered in the biggest moments. The American guard knocked down a clutch mid-range jumper before burying a dagger three-pointer to put the game out of reach and seal Central’s qualification to the Final Four.
Rice finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds, leading Central offensively when it mattered most.
Abdoulaye Gueye was a force on both ends of the floor, contributing 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks while providing a strong interior presence throughout the game.
Anyeuri Castillo continued his excellent playoff run with a complete stat line of 15 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals, once again proving to be one of Central’s most versatile players.
Lebanese international Jihad El Khatib also played a key role in the victory, finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds as Central’s experience shined during the comeback.
For Hoops, Vante Hendrix did everything possible to keep his team’s season alive. The American guard erupted for a game-high 28 points while adding 7 rebounds, but lacked enough support as Central’s defense tightened in the second half.
Thomas recorded 9 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Bradford added 9 points, but Hoops struggled offensively down the stretch as Central gradually erased the halftime deficit.
With the victory, Central becomes the first team to officially secure its place in the Final Four. The club will now await the winner of the Sagesse-Homenetmen series to determine its semifinal opponent.
As for Hoops, their season comes to an end after a hard-fought campaign, while Central’s dream run continues with bigger challenges still ahead.