13 May 2013
BEIRUT: Mouttahed and Byblos resume their fight to make it to the 2013 Final Four with Game 3 of their dramatic best-of-five series in Tripoli Monday at 10:30 p.m.
The series is tied at 1-1 after Mouttahed won Game 1 in overtime and Byblos clinched Game 2 by five points.
The Jbeil side have been known for favoring a fast paced offensive-oriented system, but the playoffs have been slightly different for them, as they were able to change their identity in the series. In Game 2, Mouttahed only scored 26 points at halftime, before they eventually fell 81-76, an indication of Byblos’ fast-improving defense.
Of course, stopping Jay Youngblood will be Mouttahed’s top priority in this game, as the Jbeil side run their entire offense through him. Youngblood not only offers unmatched leadership for the Byblos’ offense, but also poses a physical challenge defensively.
Another key to victory for Byblos lies in the contribution of the local players, notably Mazen Mneimneh and Ali Barada. The backcourt duo stepped up in the closing moments of the fourth quarter in Game 2 after Youngblood fouled out, with Milo Abou Jaoude and Tom Ammar also nailing crucial shots.
Canadian center Mike Fraser has proven to be a perfect foil for Youngblood in the low post, having averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds in the first two games of the playoff series.
Mouttahed will need star duo Eric Chatfield and Marc Salyers to play aggressively in the paint to overcome their size disadvantage against Fraser. Also, more emphasis should be given to their wing players as well as to Bassel Bawji, who can make the difference at small forward. They need to slow the tempo against a fast-paced Byblos side who love to run the floor, and to organize their offense after their terrible first half performance in Game 2.
Elsewhere, Homenetmen will look to wrap up the second division league title when they host Tadamon Zouk Monday night at Mezher court.
The Armenian side lead the final series 2-0, and a win would secure them a ticket to the top flight for the first time in nearly a decade.
Tadamon will look to avoid an embarrassing sweep and to force Game 4 on their home court, where they could yet turn the tables on their division two rivals.
Lebanese champions Champville are now 1-1 after the first two days of the 14th WABA Championship which serves as a qualifier for the Asian club Championship, expected to take place in Amman next September.
Champville lost in the opening day against Foolad Mahran 84-83, but they quickly bounced back another Iranian team Petrochimi, inflicting them with a 84-78 defeat in day two.
Jeremiah Massey starred for Champville with 29 points, while Fadi al-Khatib added 20 points and Hussein al-Khatib added 10 points.
Seven teams are participating in the competition after the withdrawal of Sagesse club due to injuries, and all teams will play against each other in a league format.
The top three clubs will qualify to the Asian Championship this summer, although only one team from each country can qualify.
Copyright The Daily Star 2013.
