The Lebanese champions outlast Petro de Luanda 80–75 to secure a place in the third-place game at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
Grinding Out a High-Stakes Win
Al Riyadi Beirut showed their capacity to respond under pressure, defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 80–75 in a tense classification clash at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup. After leading by double digits in the second half, the Lebanese side had to withstand a late rally but kept their composure in the final minutes to close the game and preserve a path to the podium.
Manny Harris Sets the Tone
Former NBA guard Manny Harris was the offensive engine, piling up points, rebounds, and assists while constantly probing Petro’s defence. Around him, Elmedin Kikanovic provided reliable scoring inside, and Hayk Gyokchyan delivered a hard-working double-double on the boards and at both ends of the floor, highlighting the depth of Riyadi’s veteran core.
The balanced stat sheet reflected a team performance built on ball movement, physical defence, and the discipline to execute late in the shot clock.
Momentum into the Bronze-Medal Game
The victory sends Al Riyadi into a third-place showdown against Australia’s Tasmania JackJumpers, offering another chance to test themselves against elite opposition outside Asia. Beyond the final ranking, the game is an opportunity to reinforce Lebanon’s reputation on the global club stage and to carry valuable experience back to domestic and regional competitions.
For the club’s supporters, the 80–75 result is another reminder that Al Riyadi belong in conversations about the top clubs beyond their home continent.
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