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Mohamed Ghayaza helped Tunisia slam the door on SGA's DIBC title hopes. UAE Basketball Association |
MANILA--With Al-Riyadi begging off, Strong Group Athletics was projected by some to be a heavy title favorite in the Dubai International Basketball Championship this year.
However, Tunisia turned out to be the ultimate dark horse as the national team shocked the Filipino club.
Tunisia denied SGA the chip once more after knocking them out in the DIBC semifinals, 68-63, early Sunday (Philippine Time) at the Al-Nasr Club in Dubai.
Despite three missed free throws that almost cost them the win, Tunisia's defense held forth as SGA botched potential go-ahead plays.
With a chance to possibly ice the game with his team up, 65-60, Jawhar Jawadi missed two free throws even as Tunisia left Mikey Williams wide open from the left corner to hit a triple that cut the lead to two with 56.8 seconds to go.
DeMarcus Cousins then forced Mohamed Ghayaza to a traveling violation, giving the ball back to SGA, but Chris McCullough missed back-to-back shots, a tough layup attempt for the tie and a right corner three for the possible lead change.
Omar Abada still kept the door open for SGA as he split his charities with 12.2 seconds left, but Rhenz Abando forced a tough three-pointer while trying to fish a foul against a Tunisian defender that rimmed out.
Radhouane Slimane finally sealed Tunisia's win with two freebies with 3.2 seconds to play.
Slimane led Tunisia, which will battle Beirut First in the final early Monday (Philippine Time), with 23 points, six rebounds, and one steal.
Abada added 14 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Cousins and McCullough each tallied 18 markers with the former grabbing 15 boards for SGA, which could still end the tournament on a high note with a win against the United Arab Emirates in the battle for third.
Beirut clinched the first seat in the final after drubbing UAE, 94-71.
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