Al-mukalla: Al-Mina team has taken a step closer to the final of the Republic Cup Basketball Tournament, while Shabab Hadramout and Al-Wehda Sana'a continued their winning streaks in the competition organized by the Yemen Basketball Federation and hosted in Al-Mukalla, Hadramout, from 14 to 20 September.
According to Yemen News Agency, on the second day of the group stage of the tournament's final phase, featuring eight teams divided into two groups, Al-Mina Aden (the defending champion) claimed the top spot in Group B after a hard-fought 74-69 victory over Al-Mukalla in a match held at the Shabab Hadramout indoor hall. The game was marked by intensity and excitement, with a large crowd in attendance.
Despite trailing in the first two quarters, 9-15 and 11-22, Al-Mina turned the game around in the third and fourth quarters, winning 28-15 and 26-17, respectively, to secure the final result. Palestinian professional player Ahmad Ibrahim Sanjaq of Al-Mukalla was named the game's MVP.
In the other Group B match, Al-Ahli Sana'a revived its hopes of reaching the final with a decisive 86-62 win over Shibam Hadramout. Al-Ahli dominated the first three quarters, winning 23-15, 21-17, and 27-14, while Shibam took the fourth quarter 16-15. Al-Ahli's Abdulaziz Al-Ansi received the MVP award.
With these results, Al-Mina, led by veteran coach Dr. Qaisar Alami, moved firmly toward the final by topping Group B with four points, followed by Al-Ahli Sana'a in second place with three points. Al-Mukalla also has three points but trails on score difference, while Shibam, having lost its second match, is at the bottom with two points.
In Group A, Shabab Hadramout and Al-Wehda Sana'a continued their winning form, each securing their second victories in the group stage.
Shabab Hadramout recorded its second win over Al-Tilal Aden after the match was awarded to them due to Al-Tilal fielding only five players, four of whom committed five fouls in the first quarter, forcing the referee to end the game with Shabab leading 41-19.
Al-Wehda Sana'a achieved a comprehensive 73-42 victory over Seiyun, dominating the first three quarters 18-10, 18-8, and 22-5. The coach rested his players in the fourth quarter, allowing Seiyun to take it 19-15 without affecting the final outcome. Al-Wehda's Eyad Al-Dahbali was named MVP.
Following these results, Shabab Hadramout and Al-Wehda Sana'a top Group A with four points each, Shabab leading on score difference, while Seiyun and Al-Tilal are out of contention for the final, each with two points at the bottom of the group.
The group stage concludes tomorrow, Tuesday, with four matches, most notably Shabab Hadramout vs. Al-Wehda Sana'a in Group A, and Al-Ahli Sana'a vs. Al-Mina in Group B to determine the group winners who will advance to the final. Meanwhile, Al-Mukalla faces Shibam, and Al-Tilal plays Seiyun.