Muharraq Launch Three-Peat Bid

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Defending champions Muharraq opened their 2026-2027 Zain Bahrain Basketball League campaign in emphatic fashion with a 95-60 victory over Samaheej yesterday, while Al Ahli battled past Al Etihad 66-59 at Um Al Hassam Sports Hall.

Coached by German Peter Schomers, the Red Wolves took control early, leading 25-20 after the opening quarter before stretching their advantage to 48-34 by half-time.

Looking to make it three league titles in a row, Muharraq broke the game open after the interval, turning their 14-point half-time cushion into a 69-45 lead by the end of the third quarter.

They continued to pile on the pressure in the fourth, with Khalil Mohamed Alkhan's three-pointer with 1:28 remaining taking the margin to a game-high 38 points at 95-57.

Ali Hussain Rashid led the champions with an outstanding all-round performance, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while new signing Naser Albuloushi added 17.

The 22-year-old joined the club following impressive displays with Bahrain's 3x3 side, including at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.

Wayne Chism contributed 10 points, 14 rebounds and five assists as Muharraq outscored Samaheej 56-28 in the paint and held a 63-42 advantage on the boards.

The evening's second game followed a very different script as last season's semi-finalists Al Ahli recovered from a seven-point half-time deficit against Al Etihad.

Led by Spaniard Marcelo Zubiran, appointed ahead of the new season, the Eagles were locked at 13-13 after the opening quarter before slipping 34-27 behind at the break.

Al Etihad moved eight points clear at 39-31 in the third, but Al Ahli steadily reeled them in to trail just 49-47 entering the fourth.

Hamad Faisal Alamari levelled with a lay-up 16 seconds into the final period before Derrick Woods' tip-in put Al Ahli 51-50 ahead. Mohamed Hasan Kuwayed then struck from three-point range as momentum swung their way.

Al Etihad remained within three at 56-53 midway through the quarter, but Woods later sank two free throws to make it 66-56 with 1:29 remaining and settle the contest.

Woods finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds on 10-of-12 shooting, while captain Hesham Jasim Sarhan scored 17 and Kuwayed added 15 to complete the comeback.