By Danotzki Santos
Doha: League-leaders Al Rayyan will take on Eljaish while Al Sadd face the challenge of Al Arabi in the best-of-three semi-finals of the Qatar Basketball League at Al Gharafa Indoor Arena today.
Defending champions Al Rayyan, who topped the elimination round with 13-3 win-loss card, will continue their quest for a place in the finals in the best-of-three semi-finals in the 5.00pm match.
Coach Brian Rowsom and his wards are facing a tough Army squad with Fadi Abilmona, Mohammad Bakir, Turki Ali and Mohammad Yussuf expected to give out their best playing against the defending champions.
Rowsom will continue to bank on American Harold Boney Watson.
Al Rayyan will also bank on national team stalwarts Targuy Ngombo, Yaseen Mousa and Erfan Saeed to swing the advantage in their favour.Al Sadd, ranked second after the elimination stage, will face Al Arabi at 7:00 pm.
Michael Benjamin Southall is the backbone of Al Sadd’s offense and defense and will surely have his hands full on both ends of the floor against Arabi’s Alvin Mofunanya and William Byrd.
In the backcourt, Al Sadd seem to have the edge on paper with Chris dela Rosa reinforcing the already potent tandem of Mousa Daoud and Saad Abdulrahman.
Al Arabi will not be left behind with the prolific duo of the hardworking Abdulai Jalloh and the youthful and wily Mansour Elhadary.
Meanwhile, Al Wakra trounced Qatar Sports Club 56-39, in their first game on Monday, and 78-65 yesterday, to sweep their own best-of-three play-offs and notch the first berth for the battle for the fifth place.
On the other hand, Al Gharafa likewise won two straight against newcomers Al Shamal, 78-70 and 65-43, to grab the right to face Al Wakra in the do-or-die showdown for 5th place. Qatar and Shamal will contest for 7th place.
The second game of the semi-final duels will be played on February 8 with Al Sadd and Arabi taking centre-stage at 5:00 pm and Rayyan and Eljaish going against each other in the other game at 7:00 pm. The Peninsula
