Mukalla: Al-Mina'a of Aden secured a valuable 69-58 victory over hosts Shaab Hadramout in the second game of the Republic Basketball Cup final, played this evening at Shaab Hadramout Club Hall in Mukalla. The win postponed the championship title decision to tomorrow's decisive third and final match at the same venue.
According to Yemen News Agency, Shaab Hadramout had won the opening game against defending champions Al-Mina'a yesterday, 63-55, hoping to clinch the title today. However, Al-Mina'a's victory kept their hopes alive and pushed the title battle into the final showdown.
For the first time in the history of Yemeni basketball, the championship final is being contested in a best-of-three format. The team that wins two matches will be crowned champions of the third edition of the tournament, which featured 16 teams from across the governorates in two stages, organized by the Yemen Basketball Federation.
Today's clash was marked by intensity, excitement, and a packed arena as both teams delivered a high level of play that electrified the crowd. Determined to recover from their first-game loss, Al-Mina'a started strong, taking the first quarter 20-15. Shaab Hadramout responded in the second quarter, turning the game around with a 20-11 win. Realizing the risk of losing their title, Al-Mina'a surged back with discipline and control in the final two quarters, winning them 14-9 and 24-14, to seal a crucial 69-58 victory. This result tied the series at 1-1, reviving Al-Mina'a's hopes of defending their crown.
Palestinian professional Jamal Mansour of Al-Mina'a was named Player of the Match, receiving the award from Ibrahim Bahashwan, Head of the Basketball Federation's Hadramout Coast branch and Deputy Chairman of the tournament's organizing committee.
The tournament will conclude tomorrow, Saturday, with a highly anticipated 'fiery' third and final showdown between Al-Mina'a Aden and Shaab Hadramout to decide the champion of this year's edition. The match will be followed by an awards ceremony honoring both teams and standout players.