Treble-chasing Muharraq awaits semi-final winner

TDT | Manama

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Defending champions Muharraq are through to the finals of the 2025-26 Zain Bahrain Basketball League after sweeping Al Ahli in three straight games last Wednesday. Manama edged Al Najma 95- 92 in overtime to take a 2-1 semi-final lead, setting up a possible finals rematch with rivals Muharraq, who beat them in last month’s Khalifa bin Salman Cup final.

The Red Wolves dominated from the first quarter, never letting Al Ahli gain momentum. Across the three games, Al Ahli led for only five minutes and twelve seconds, a testament to Muharraq’s consistency. The sweep marked the first in the Eagles’ playoff history, a team rarely defeated so decisively.

Bahraini basketball fans had hoped the Muharraq–Al Ahli semi-finals would offer more excitement, especially with Al Ahli aiming to add to their 20 league titles. Yet the series was one-sided. As German coach Peter Schomers said, “We expected a win, though I thought it might be a bit tougher. Once we built a 15–16 point lead, they started to give up. You rarely face resistance in situations like these. I hope the Manama series doesn’t go to five games, or we’d have to wait too long for the finals.”

For Muharraq, the sweep reinforced their season-long strength under Schomers. “This is the result of a mother’s prayers,” joked Nader Ali, one of the team’s stars. “We aimed from the start of the season to take all the trophies. We were unlucky in the West Asian Super League, but we’ve won the Khalifa bin Salman Cup, and now we want the league to complete the treble.”

While Muharraq advanced smoothly, the Manama–Al Najma series has been a thriller. Three games have been decided by four points or less, one went to overtime, and every contest came down to the final seconds. Manama, the country’s most decorated club with 25 league titles, bounced back from a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1. Al Najma, chasing their first-ever crown, will aim to force a decisive Game 5 when the series resumes Saturday at 8 PM at Khalifa Sports City.

The semi-finals have delivered drama at every turn. Muharraq stands ready, pursuing their fifth league title, while the Manama–Al Najma series more back-and-forth action. With the treble in sight and history on the line, the 2025- 26 season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in Bahraini basketball.