Lebanon’s most decorated club crushes Shabab Al Ahli in the final, ending a perfect week with a new continental crown.
122 Points in the Title Game
In the inaugural Basketball Champions League Asia final, Al Riyadi Beirut delivered a statement performance, defeating host side Shabab Al Ahli 122–96 at a sold-out Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall in Dubai. The victory secured Riyadi’s third Asian club title overall and underlined their reputation as one of the continent’s premier offensive teams.
Stars Rise on the Biggest Stage
Riyadi’s campaign was powered by a rotation that blended local heroes and imports. Playmaker Wael Arakji orchestrated the attack and poured in 31 points on remarkably efficient shooting, while big man Thon Maker imposed himself in the paint and from the perimeter. Zach Lofton, Amir Saoud, Hayk Gyokchyan, and others all hit timely shots, contributing to a barrage of three-pointers that broke the game open.
A Ticket to the Intercontinental Cup
By winning BCL Asia, Riyadi secured Asia’s berth at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, extending their season into another global showcase. The title also reinforces Lebanon’s status as a basketball powerhouse, with club structures capable of competing—and winning—against the best in Asia when given the stage.
For Lebanese fans, the image of Riyadi lifting the trophy in Dubai will stand alongside past continental triumphs as proof that the country’s basketball story is still being written.
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