The surprise came from Rockland Arena where the young people of Hoops dropped the leader after overtime. Beirut Club, hitherto undefeated, has seen its series stopped net by an uninhibited team worn by an Albert English incandescent.
It had to happen one day. After 11 consecutive successes, Beirut Club ended up falling. And it was the kids of Hoops who signed the feat, inflicting their first defeat of the season to the men of Jad El-Hajj (94-88 AP), during an electric duel cash for the 12e Lebanese first division Lebanese Basketball Championship.
The shock, disputed in the overheated lair of Rockland Arena, had everything in a folded match after three quarters mastered by the champion of the first leg. Beirut led dance (21-19, 20-16, 24-17), and the case seemed to be heard. It was without counting on the incredible revolt of the Hoops in the Money Time.
A fourth fatal quarter
In diesel mode for three periods, the Jad el-Chayeb’s band has transformed in the last quarter, inflicting a scathing 23-10 on an unrecognizable beirut. The leader, an orphan of his captain, Ali Haidar, released on injury at the start of the match, fell in pressure. A few seconds from the mermaid, Sergio El Darwich was tearing the equalization (75-75) from a clutch shot, forcing an extension at the uncertain outcome.
But the momentum was clearly on the side of the locals. Boosted by a molten room and by an Albert English all fire all flame (41 points, 6 assists, 3 interceptions), the Hoops continued on their momentum to seal their sixth victory of the season (19-13 in the Overtime).
English on fire, broken down
In addition to English, impeccable composure and leadership, Dikembe Dixon (20 pts, 6 RBDS) and the duo Jean-Marc Ghorra-Abed Sabbagh have brought precious ammunition. Collectively, Hoops dominated in the passes (20 assists) and the defensive intensity (11 interceptions, 4 counters).
Opposite, Beirut has tried to reply with his Ledo-Darwich-Khoury trio (respectively 26, 21 and 19 pts) and a hyperactive mazloum in distribution (9 assists), but the air hole of the fourth quarter will have been fatal.
Jostled classification
With this capital victory, Hoops temporarily climbs the 4the Place (18 points), while Beirut retains controls of the championship (23 points), but sees his armor as a seriously cracked leader.
12e Day continued on Tuesday evening with the victory of Antonins Baabda over Antranik (86-78), an important success in the wrestling for Playoff’s places.
