Riyadi won the fifth game of the Lebanese basketball championship final against La Sagesse (113-97) to claim the 37th championship title in their history. The Yellows won the best-of-seven series 4-1.

We could feel it coming. It seemed inevitable, even to the most radical of La Sagesse’s Ultras. This Riyadi was too strong. The title did not escape it. On Monday, the Manara-based club were crowned Lebanese champions for the 37th time since 1943 and the 18th time since the League was established in its current form in 1992.

However, the players from La Sagesse did not give up, fighting until the end, even if at the end of yesterday’s match, they looked resigned.

Riyadi won the Lebanese Basketball Championship after beating La Sagesse 113-97 in the fifth game of the final, sealing the series 4-1 in their favor.

Mister Turning Point

Ali Mansour, the man behind the scenes in coach Ahmad Farran’s team, is a defensive machine of every coach’s dreams. A player who plays hard on the pitch, he was the turning point of the match thanks to his solid defense and decisive passes.

Impressive numbers for Mansour, who scored six points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out five assists and made four steals, proving his presence all over the court during the 18 minutes of play.

These numbers enabled Riyadi to turn the game around in the third quarter, which ended 83-78.

The Champion’s Experience

In the final quarter, Riyadi imposed their dominance after La Sagesse star Nick Rakocevic was sent off for five fouls, weakening the green club’s chances of victory. Riyadi took advantage of this exit to strengthen their grip and impose their rhythm thanks to series star and best player Wael Arakji, concluding the match with a 113-97 victory.

The individual prizes were awarded at the trophy ceremony and are as follows:

Finals prize:

-Best rebounder: Nick Rakocevic

-Best blocker: Thon Maker

-Best defender: Karim Zeinoun

-Best passer: Wael Arakji

-Best scorer: Jonathan Simmons

-Foreign MVP: Jonathan Simmons

-Lebanese MVP: Wael Arakji

-Most valuable coach: Ahmad Farran

Vintage 2024

Riyadi 2024 was simply too strong.

For Ahmad Farran, architect of the Yellow Dynasty, this is also his fifth coaching title, to which he has added cups, supercups and other Asian trophies such as Wasl.

He has succeeded in rebuilding a competitive and winning squad, with youngsters such as Wael Arakji, Karim Zeinoun, Hayk Gyokchyan, Jonathan Simmons and Thon Maker, to whom the stars have passed on their “champion DNA.”

The new champions have just a few days to rest up before the Wasl championship resumes on May 26. But that’s another story…

THIS IS BEIRUT