Al Arabi bags Heir Apparent Cup Title

Mansour Elhadary spearheaded an 8-2 assault in the final two minutes of the game to lead Al Arabi to a come-from-behind 76-73 victory over El Jaish last night at the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena and conquer their second HH Heir Apparent championship since 2007.

Trailing 68-71 and time not on their side, Elhadary took over from the hurting Jalloh Abdullah and scattered 7 of Arabi’s last points including the game clinching two charity shots to seal the  win.

Al Arabi led 10-9 early in the game with Abdullah taking charge but El Jaish tightened their defense and put on a 9-0 run behind tournament Most Valuable Player Baker Mohammed who pushed Army to an 18-14 advantage at the end of the first period.

Baker pursued the attack and kept his team soaring ahead 27-17 midway in the second period but fell into foul trouble forcing Coach Erik Rashad to rest his ace gunner. 

With Baker and Fadi Abilmona on the bench, Al Arabi unleashed a 15-2 barrage to regain the lead before halftime break.

Both squads fought tooth and nail in the third period and while without the prolific tandem of Fadi and Baker on the floor, Al Arabi fell behind 49-56 before closing the gap 53-56 entering the final period.

William Byrd waxed hot early in the final quarter, combining with Mansour to give Al Arabi a seemingly comfortable lead, 68-63, with 4:30 in the game clock.

All seemed lost at this point for Coach Rashad as Baker left the game after committing his fifth foul until Aleoni Se took charge and scattered 6 consecutive points to push El Jaish back in the driver’s seat, 71-68.

But Al Arabi would not be denied this chance for the championship, and Mansour like a wounded warrior upped his game three notches higher in the endgame to map out an 8-2 assault that gave Coach Hatem Malouk and his team their second HAC title in five years.