Players vie for the ball.

DUBAI, Sept 29: Kazma is targeting the top spot in Group Three of the 37th Arab Basketball Championship in Dubai, running until October 6, when it faces Qatar’s Al-Arabi today at 5:00 PM in the third and final round of the preliminary stage. In the same group, Oman’s Al-Seeb will meet Yemen’s Al-Mina’a.

Currently, Al-Arabi leads Group Three with 4 points, narrowly ahead of Kazma, also on 4 points, based on point difference. Al-Seeb is third with 2 points, while Al-Mina’a sits last with 1 point.

The tournament follows a round-robin format in the first stage, after which all teams advance to the Round of 16. The top team from Group Three will face the fourth-placed team from Group Four, while the second-placed team plays the third, with the same format applied to Groups One and Two. Winners then move on to the quarterfinals.

Kazma earned its second victory by defeating Al-Mina’a 113-81 in the second round. In the same round, Al-Arabi dominated Al-Seeb 90-61. In Group Four, Qatar’s Al-Rayyan defeated Syria’s Al-Wahda 85-69, while Lebanon’s Al-Hikma crushed Oman’s Al-Bashaer 110-72.

Kazma had also won its first-round match against Al-Seeb 82-73. Today’s game against Al-Arabi is pivotal, as the winner will top the group and face the fourth-placed team from Group Four, while the runner-up will meet the third-placed team.

The match represents a significant test for Kazma as it seeks its third consecutive win to solidify its chances of advancing to the later stages of the championship.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff