Bahrain Start Perfect With Two Wins in 3x3 Opener

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain made a strong statement in the men’s 3x3 basketball competition last night, opening their sixth Islamic Solidarity Games campaign with back-to-back victories at the Sports Boulevard – Promenade in Riyadh.

They began the evening with a comfortable 21–13 win over Egypt, built on efficient perimeter shooting and disciplined half-court execution. Player-coach Bogdan Dragovic set the tone for Bahrain with accurate long-range scoring, while Milos Supica dominated inside and punished Egypt from the free-throw line. The pair combined for 18 of Bahrain’s 21 points, with Mohamed Buallay and Sayed Mohamed Kadhem offering support on both ends. Egypt’s most effective contributor was Youssef Helmy, whose scoring runs kept the contest competitive before Bahrain pulled away late.

Their rhythm carried seamlessly into the late fixture, where Bahrain powered past hosts Saudi Arabia 21–11 to secure a perfect 2–0 start. Dragovic found his range early once more, and Supica produced a game-high nine points through a mix of post play and drives. Buallay remained a key creator off the dribble, while Kadhem continued to anchor the defence. For Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Alkhater and Raad Barnawi emerged as their main scoring threats, but the hosts struggled to break down Bahrain’s structured approach.

With two wins in hand, Bahrain now shift their attention to today’s key matchup against Algeria — the reigning Arab champions and one of the most organised squads in Group A. The result will help shape the knockout bracket, with the semifinals set for tomorrow before the medal matches later that same evening.