- 09:35
The Yellows once again dominated the Greens (101-71) in a one-sided derby on Monday night in Zouk. With two wins in as many games in the Final 8, they are charging toward the semifinals.
The Beirut derby has shifted hands once again. It now leans decidedly toward Riyadi. On Monday night, the Yellows clearly got the upper hand over their historic rivals in a Nouhad Nawfal Stadium packed to the brim (101-71). A significant gap, a solid performance, and a clear message: the reigning champions are firmly intent on keeping their crown.
La Sagesse, convincing against Ittihad on Saturday, could not find answers against Riyadi’s collective power. Even less so against Wael Arakji, who was in a state of grace.
Arakji, a Maestro On a Mission
The Lebanese point guard delivered a top-level performance with 36 points at 75% shooting, along with 6 assists and 3 rebounds. Most importantly, he widened the gap after halftime, scoring 20 points in the last two quarters—almost as much on his own as the entire opposing side in the same period (23 points).
“We played a complete game on both offense and defense,” Arakji summed up modestly after the game. “But we haven’t won anything yet. The title is still far away. We still have three games to go to get it.”
A Clear Break Before Halftime
The game shifted in the second quarter, when the Greens were up by three points. A furious 22-5 run orchestrated by Arakji broke the lock: 52-38 with two minutes to go before the break. Curtain down. The Yellows never looked back. The second half turned into a demonstration: defensive intensity, outrageous accuracy, efficient rotation.
Thon Maker (14 pts, 10 rebs), Karim Zeinoun (14), Marin Maric (14), and Hayk Gyokchyan (12 pts, 7 rebs) all perfectly supported their point guard. Ahmad Farran’s game plan unfolded without a hitch.
“Defense was the key. The guys executed our plan to perfection, from start to finish,” declared the coach. Riyadi forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 18 easy points, while shooting 50.6% overall with 25 assists.
Stands in Turmoil
In the stands, the supporters were electrified throughout the game. “This isn’t a derby anymore, it’s a public training session!” exclaims Samer, a Riyadi fan since 1998. “We’re way too strong for them this season.”
On La Sagesse’s side, the tone is more bitter. “Feels like we’re playing Kobe’s Lakers... But where has our rage gone?” sighs Fadi, wearing a Jad Khalil jersey.
Zach Lofton, brilliant against Ittihad, was limited to 17 points on 14 shots. Cady Lalanne and Johnny O’Bryant each scored 13 points, and Jad Khalil posted a double-double (10 pts, 10 rebs), but the gap kept growing. A tough evening, a serious warning.
With this defeat, the Greens (1-1) will play for their survival on Wednesday at 5:45 PM against BC Astana. The Yellows (2-0), for their part, will face Ittihad at 8:45 PM, with one mission in mind: finish first in the group and continue their path toward another final.
La Sagesse still has a card to play, but the deck seems stacked. Riyadi, for its part, is moving forward like a force of nature: relentless, untouchable, almost unplayable.
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