Lebanese Basketball League: Batroun Stuns Antonine as Sagesse and Al Riyadi Open with Two Wins
LBN Newsroom ·
The 2026–27 Lebanese Basketball League has delivered an entertaining start, with the first two rounds already producing major surprises, competitive matchups and some early statements from the title contenders.
While Sagesse, Central and Al Riyadi have started with consecutive victories, Batroun delivered the biggest shock of the opening rounds by defeating heavily backed Antonine. Meanwhile, Beirut also made a strong impression, while several competitive teams have struggled to find their rhythm.
## Round 1: Batroun Delivers the Biggest Surprise
The opening round began with Central defeating NSA 86–78 at home. Despite missing Jihad El Khatib and Elie Ghaleb, Central managed to secure the victory and begin its campaign with a positive result.
Antranik also opened its season with a convincing 89–72 win over Homenetmen. Homenetmen remained competitive for much of the game but struggled in the fourth quarter, allowing Antranik to pull away.
Beirut secured a difficult 66–58 road victory against Hoops in a defensive battle. Beirut was without Mike Frazier but managed to control the game and leave with an important opening win.
However, the biggest story of the round came in Batroun, where the home team stunned Antonine with an 88–78 victory. Antonine, a team reportedly built with a budget of around $2 million and considered among the league's contenders, suffered an unexpected defeat against a Batroun side not widely considered among the top teams. The result immediately put Batroun on the radar as a team worth watching.
Sagesse rounded out the round with a high-scoring 109–98 victory over Atlas. Both teams produced an offensive performance, but Sagesse had enough to secure its first win of the season.
## Round 2: Beirut Makes a Statement as Antonine Suffers Again
Antranik continued its positive start with an 88–73 victory over Hoops. Antranik controlled most of the contest and appeared comfortable before Hoops mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. However, the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Central also secured its second consecutive win, defeating Homenetmen 90–75. Homenetmen remained competitive for three quarters but once again struggled in the final period, allowing Central to create separation and close out the game.
Beirut delivered one of the most convincing performances of the round, dominating Antonine 98–68. Antonine was missing Brandon Huntley-Hatfield due to injury, but Beirut controlled the game from start to finish. It was Antonine's second consecutive defeat, a worrying opening for a team expected to compete near the top of the standings.
On the other side, Beirut is emerging as an interesting team to follow. Led by Viktor Janketic, the underdog side has shown promising signs in its first two outings and could become a difficult opponent for the league's established contenders.
Sagesse had to work much harder for its second victory, escaping with a narrow 96–93 win against NSA on the road. NSA had an impressive shooting night from beyond the arc, converting 15 of 32 attempts for 47 percent. Despite that performance, Sagesse managed to withstand the challenge and secure another important win.
Al Riyadi closed the round with a dominant 103–58 victory over Atlas. The defending powerhouse controlled the matchup, while Atlas was missing its import Javion Blake, making the challenge even more difficult for the newly promoted side.
# Early Takeaways After Two Rounds
Two rounds are not enough to draw definitive conclusions about the season, but several early trends are already emerging.
Central and Sagesse have made strong starts, with both teams collecting two victories despite facing competitive opposition. Al Riyadi also opened its campaign with a dominant win in Round 2 after not playing in the opening round.
Beirut could be one of the early surprises. Two victories, including a convincing win over Antonine, have given Viktor Janketic's team a promising start.
Batroun has already delivered the surprise of the season. Its victory over Antonine showed that it should not be overlooked, although consistency will be the real test.
Antonine faces early pressure. After entering the season with major expectations and a reported $2 million budget, two consecutive defeats have put the team under the spotlight. The absence of Brandon Huntley-Hatfield in Round 2 was an important factor, but the team will need to respond quickly.
With the first two rounds complete, the Lebanese Basketball League is already showing signs of an unpredictable and competitive season. The coming rounds will provide a clearer picture of which teams are genuine title contenders and which sides could emerge as the season's biggest surprises.