In a slam-bang affair between two undefeated Group B leaders, Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LIB) managed to pull a fast one on Al Rayyan Sports Club (QAT) during the penultimate day of the elimination round of the 22nd FIBA Asia Champions Cup on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lebanon club tuned out a 78-73 count after the game went to an extra five minute session.

Ismail Ahmed led the seven-time defending Lebanese Basketball League champions in scoring with 24 points with 12 rebounds. American import Loren Woods followed with 18 points an 17 rebounds, 12 of those on the offensive end.

Alban Ngombo led the way for the Qatar squad, scoring 24 points and gathering 11 rebounds in their first loss of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Smart Gilas (PHI) had a hard time containing Duhok (IRQ) but pulled through nonetheless with a 74-64 win in the day’s final match. Thanks to a 9-2 flurry to begin the fourth period, the national developmental squad downed the opposition and never looked back.

Marcus Douthit led the way for the hometown squad with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Chris Tiu added 11 points with 7 rebounds and 9 assists in a near triple-double output.

Former Gilas import CJ Giles topped all scorers with 20 points together with 23 rebounds in a losing cause for Duhok.

In the other games, Al Jala’a Aleppo (SYR) downed Al Shabab, 93-63, to send them home packing with a winless slate in four games. Marcelle Yaqqub totalled for 23 points, with Jamaal Miller finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

ASU Sports Club (JOR) pounded ASEAN Basketball League third-placers Westports KL Dragons via a 101-77 rout. Sam Daghles flirted with a triple-double with a statline of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Mohammad Hadrab followed suit with 17.

Complete Day 4 Results:
Al Jala’a (SYR) def. Al Shabab (UAE), 93-63
ASU (JOR) def. Westports KL Dragons (MAS), 101-77
Al Riyadi (LIB) def. Al Rayyan (QAT), 78-73 (F/OT)
Smart Gilas (PHI) def. Duhok (IRI), 74-64

Standings (as of 5/31)
GROUP A
Smart Gilas (PHI) 3-0
ASU Sports Club (JOR) 3-0
Al Ittihad Jeddah (KSA) 1-2
Duhok (IRQ) 1-3
Westports KL Dragons (MAS) 0-3

GROUP B
Sporting Club Al Riyadi Beirut (LIB) 3-0
Al Rayyan Sports Club (QAT) 2-1
Mahram Tehran BC (IRI) 2-1
Al Jala’a Aleppo (SYR) 1-2
Al Shabab Al Arabi Club (UAE) 0-4