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3. Basketball: Sagesse Falls Back into Its Old Ways, Riyadi Just a Step Away from the Title

On Tuesday in Manara, Sagesse had given itself the right to dream. Twenty-four hours later in Ghazir, the Greens blew it. Riyadi took advantage of the situation to extend its lead in the series (3-1) and move a step closer to another title.

Sagesse takes small steps forward. On Tuesday, it overcame a mountain by winning for the first time in nine years at Manara, breaking a curse that was as symbolic as it was heavy. We thought the Greens were back on track, re-motivated and on the move. But on Wednesday in Ghazir, they stumbled again — an 83–75 defeat on their supposedly “friendly” parquet. Riyadi took control again, leading the series 3-1 and needing just one more win to be crowned champion.

This scenario leaves a strange taste of déjà vu. It feels like going backwards just when the right turn seemed to have been taken. In Manara, Sagesse had accomplished what seemed to be the hardest part. And then, on (almost) conquered ground, it made things harder for itself. Like the Echternach pilgrims, it stumbled forward: one step forward, two steps back. On Tuesday, it moved closer. On Wednesday, it fell back.

Riyadi in Control, Sagesse in Disarray

In front of some 2,600 spectators, Riyadi delivered a solid, diligent, intelligent performance. Five players finished with more than 10 points, proof of a balanced offensive distribution. Hayk Gyokchyan was the most prominent with 16 points and 8 rebounds, well supported by Amir Saoud (13 pts, 5 assists), Marcus Hunt (13 pts), and Thon Maker (11 pts, 9 rebounds, 3 counters).

On the other side, Sagesse depended too much on an incandescent Omar Jamaleddine, who scored 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, with exceptional skill behind the arc (6 three-point baskets). But behind him, the team lacked a response: Sekou Doumbouya (11 pts, 9 rbds) and Moody (10 pts, 4 rbds) were less sharp, and the team was never able to impose its tempo.

The Detail that Hurts

Statistically, the two teams matched each other blow for blow: 36 rebounds for Riyadi versus 34 for Sagesse, 5 counters each, decent success rates. But the Greens let a number of key balls slip through their fingers and, above all, lacked consistency in hot moments. The fourth quarter proved fatal: 24-19 in favor of Riyadi.

Despite the insane pace of the series (four games in eight days), the Yellows managed the physical wear and tear better. And mentally, they showed up where Sagesse left off.

A Tilting Series

This is the 147th meeting between the two Lebanese basketball giants. With this success, Riyadi now has 99 wins to Sagesse’s 48. And this figure could rise to 100 as early as Friday, if the Yellow Boys win Game 5 in their Manara cauldron.

Sagesse is not yet buried. But it's now up against the wall. In Manara on Friday, Riyadi will have the opportunity to wrap up the game in front of their home crowd. The Greens, on the other hand, will have to pull out an XXL game to survive, force a Game 6, and hope for a miracle.

The problem is that, since the start of the season, Sagesse has accustomed its public to inconsistency. Capable of the worst and the best. Capable of beating Riyadi at home... and then falling at home. A team with two faces, a block with no continuity. And this lack of consistency could cost it a final it briefly looked capable of overturning.

In the meantime, Riyadi is advancing like a confident boss. The title, for its part, is no longer in doubt.