Beirut Club and Antonine faced off on Sunday in the second game day of the Lebanese Basketball Championship. Played at Antonine University’s gym, the match delivered a gripping scenario, with Beirut Club dominating early on but struggling towards the end. Despite a late scare, Jad al-Hajj’s team managed to scrape a narrow 93-91 victory.
A Blazing Start
Boosted by their hard-fought win against Hoops, Beirut Club entered the game full of confidence. Staying true to his strategy, coach Jad Hajj fielded his usual starting five: Sergio Darwish, Ali Haidar, Ali Mezher, Kenneth Kadji and Ricky Ledo. The team’s chemistry was evident from the start—aggressive on defense and efficient in attack, the visitors quickly took control. By the end of the first quarter, the gap was already significant: 28-12 in favor of Beirut Club.
Antonine’s Slow Comeback
Antonine refused to back down and gradually chipped away at the deficit as the game progressed. The second quarter was more balanced, with the home team increasing the intensity. Despite a slight dip in performance, Beirut Club maintained an 11-point lead at halftime (46-35), though signs of vulnerability were starting to show.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern: Antonine kept pushing, and Beirut struggled to respond. The lead shrank further, dropping to just six points before the final period (68-62). Tension grew for Beirut Club, which found itself unable to put the game away.
A High-Stakes Finish
The fourth quarter turned into an intense battle. With the home crowd behind them, Antonine believed in the upset and closed the gap to a single possession in the final minute. As Ali Haidar missed two crucial free throws, the hosts took advantage and drained a three-pointer, cutting the lead to just one point.
On the game’s final possession, Roach had the ball in his hands for a potential game-winner… but his shot missed! Beirut Club barely escaped, securing their second narrow victory of the season after their close win against Hoops.
Lessons to Be Learned
Despite the satisfaction of another win, Sergio Darwish admitted that his team “made things difficult for themselves.” While Beirut Club has proven it can handle pressure, will it be able to avoid such nerve-wracking finishes in the future?
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