Players battling for the rebound.

DUBAI, Jan 20: Kazma ended its run in the West Asia Basketball League (Gulf region Super League) after a narrow 84–80 defeat to UAE side Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai the day before yesterday. The match was part of the sixth and final round of Group A.

The loss left Kazma at the bottom of the group in fourth place with seven points, having recorded one win and five defeats. Shabab Al Ahli, meanwhile, climbed to second place with ten points.

In another Group A clash, Saudi champion Al Ittihad edged Bahrain’s Muharraq 91–87 in a match played at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Hall in Jeddah. The victory saw “Al Itti” finish top of the group with 11 points and secure direct qualification to the semifinals.

Muharraq, who placed third, will face the second-placed team from Group B on February 2 for the third semifinal berth. The fourth and final spot in the semifinals will be decided between Shabab Al Ahli and the third-placed team from Group B, whose fixtures concluded late last night.

Despite the defeat, Kazma produced a spirited display in their final outing. It controlled much of the first half and came close to sealing a crucial win, but the third quarter proved decisive as Shabab Al Ahli outscored it 24–12.

Al-Baloushi and his teammates fought back in the final quarter, yet its late surge was not enough, as “The Ambassador” slipped to defeat and exited the competition.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff