Former FIBA Asia Cup Champions Al Riyadi Lebanon continued to dominate the 26th Dubai International Basketball Tournament after crushing Philippines NLEX Road Warriors 111-83 at Al Ahli Club last night.

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– Philippines NLEX Road Warriors defeat Ittihad Libya

The 28-point winning margin was the third straight big win for Al Riyadi who previously beat the UAE National Team, 112-80, and Zamalek Egypt, 99-75, in Group A.

Al Riyadi opened with a 10-0 run, forcing NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez to call for a quick timeout.

NLEX retaliated with a 17-6 spurt to lead 17-16, which proved to be their first and last time ahead as Al Riyadi applied pressure defence and went on to finish the first quarter 26-19 up.

Al Riyadi maintained their dominance on both ends of the floor in the second quarter and increased their lead to 55-36 at the break. 

Five Al Riyadi players finished in  double digits, led by shooting guard Amir Saoud with 24 points, followed by American imports  Jahmar Young  and Brian Cook with 21 and 14 markers each.

Former Gilas Pilipinas player Aldrech Ramos led NLEX with 22 points while crowd favourite Asi Taulava added 12.

“We respect the Philippine team – we prepared well against them; we scouted them in the past few days,” Al Riyadi assistant coach Ahmad Faran told Sport360°. 

“The key to our win was defence. We stopped their pick and roll and we countered them with our own pick and roll, which they were not able to defend against.

Everything came from good defence and our offence came easily.”

Al Riyadi’s next assignment is Ittihad Libya tomorrow, and Faran said: “We’re looking forward to another win (against Libya) and guarantee our first position in Group A going forward to the knockout stages.”

Meanwhile, the UAE National Team registered their second straight win and improved  their record to two wins with one loss after escaping Ittihad Libya 80-78.