Local basketball giants Al Gharafa and Al Rayyan will clash in the final of the Qatar Cup on Friday after easing past their semi-final opponents yesterday.
While Al Gharafa thrashed Qatar Sports Club 98-59, Al Rayyan ended the hopes of Al Arabi with a 73-59 victory.
Al Gharafa, who were deprived of the Qatar Basketball League title by El Jaish, were too strong for Qatar Sports Club yesterday as they stayed on course for their first title of the year.
A 14-8 lead after the first five minutes saw them assert their supremacy early in the match after which they simply left Qatar Sport club trailing in their wake.
Al Gharafa’s Sammy Monroe was the top-scorer in the match with 25 points, while Michael Taylor had 18 and Abdulrahman Saad 17.
Al Gharafa led 60-35 at the end of the second quarter and 79-50 after the third at which stage the Qatar Sports Club gave up all hope.
Edward Justice and Ibrahim Giama were the top scorers for Qatar Sports Club with 14 points each.
In the second semi-final, Al Rayyan took a 22-18 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. By the time the third quarter ended, Al Rayyan had taken a commanding 60-46 lead.
Abdulrahman Abdulhaleem was the top scorer for Al Rayyan with 19, while Spruill Addison scored 18.
For Al Arabi, Adamu Saaka excelled with a game-high 22 points, while Osaro Adako had 17.
Al Gharafa’s Nedim Essad trying to collect a rebound during the Qatar Cup basketball semi-final against Qatar Sports Club yesterday. Right: Al Rayyan’s Marcus Bell dunks the ball against Al Arabi in Qatar Cup semi-final yesterday.
