Winning Starts For Manama, Al Hala

TDT | Manama

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Manama opened their 2026-2027 Zain Bahrain Basketball League campaign with an 84-67 victory over Sitra yesterday, while Al Hala came from behind to defeat Isa Town 99-77 at Um Al Hassam Sports Hall.

Last season’s runners-up established an early grip on the night’s later game, moving 29-21 ahead by the end of the first quarter before taking a 46-38 advantage into half-time.

Led by Bahraini head coach Salman Ramadan, Manama began to break the game open after the interval, stretching their lead to a game-high 22 points during the third period.

The Sailors responded with a 13-point run, however, cutting the deficit to nine at 65-56 entering the fourth.

The capital club quickly shut the door. Ramadan’s men scored the opening four points of the final period before captain Ahmed Salman Halil struck from three-point range with 6:58 remaining to restore a 20-point cushion at 76-56.

Haji finished with a team-high 16 points, while Ali Jaber Alhadad and Mohamed Buallay added 14 apiece. Mahdi Ali Khalifa contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds, with Mohamed Ghazi Qambar recording eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Sitra, coached by Hussein Al Aseeri, were led by captain Mahdi Abdulameer Isa with 12 points, while Dhaif Hussain Dhaif added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Earlier, Al Hala recovered from a slow start to overcome Isa Town.

Head coach Hussein Qahiri’s men trailed 27-18 after the first period but turned the game around with a 28-12 second quarter to lead 46-39 at half-time.

Isa Town battled back after the interval, with Talal Tawfeeq Qaheri’s three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining in the third cutting Al Hala’s advantage to just two points at 66-64.

Al Hala regained control early in the fourth. Abdulqader Salah Thani scored inside before Baqer Isa Mohamed buried a three-pointer to make it 74-66 with 8:56 remaining, and Qahiri’s side continued to pull away during a dominant 33-13 final period.

Ahmed Khalifa Bindayneh led all scorers with 28 points, while Salah Thani finished with 26 points and seven rebounds. Captain Saif Matar Saif posted 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Nhanhla Vela paced Isa Town with 20 points and eight rebounds.

The opening gameweek concludes tonight at the same venue, with defending champions Muharraq facing Samaheej at 6pm before Al Ahli take on Al Ittihad at 8pm.