03 Nov.2016 – As the offseason reaches its end, we look forward to a season filled with anticipation and hunger from both, teams and fans to grab that gold medal.
Obviously the men’s first division league grabs all the spotlight and the huge sponsor endorsements. Supposedly a league where Lebanese players battle on the court to show off their skills and love for the game, has now lost a bit of its flair by the introduction of the three import rule since last year. Add to that the big advantage Riyadi seemingly has on most of the teams this year. Starting with a humongous offseason having participated in the Asian Club Championship Finals and the Hariri Tournament.
This has pushed a lot of basketball lovers to shift their attention to a more competitive, more challenging and less predictable league.
The second division is filled with players wanting to prove themselves and put that extra effort to shine and maybe get the chance to represent one of the big teams. It is a 100% lebanese league, no foreigners allowed, showing really what Lebanese Basketball has in its arsenal, and allowing upcoming talents to flourish, and skilled youngsters to evolve and develop their gift. This being said, many experienced players enter the mix to pass on to the rising generations what they had learned, giving the league an old school- new school type of game.
Many teams are fighting for the title this year. Most notably is Beirut club, formerly known as Hoops Tyr, going all in this season with National team coach Patrick Saba leading the team and former Sagesse player Robert Bou Dagher and former Tadamon star Hussein Al Khatib joining the youngsters Karim Jadeyel and Michael Sadaka. But their greatest asset could be Joe Mansour known as the Joker of the 2nd div.
Another team is Central club who have tasted glory once before in 2013 with coach Gaspard Ishak and former National team u18 captain Jonny Nemer who would love to bring the championship back to Jounieh. They will have veteran point guards Milo Abou Jaoude and Hassan Dandash on their side to help them do so along with Ziad El Ali and Charbel Sokhen.
A well known team is Antranik, a former division one club who would love to get back in the mix with the biggest clubs of the country. They would rely on talented point guard Yves Kara, Bashir Arnaout and Tarek Kharassan and experienced Hassain Lakis to get the gold under coach Dany Ammous.
The winners of the 3rd division last year, Antouniye Baabda , are all excited to start their new quest for another promotion with the help of Imad Saade, Julien Khawaja and former Red Bull King Of The Rock Toni Serhan and well known point guard Karl Sarkis.
A serious competitor is Hadath club led by Samer Mechref and skilled point guard Elie Alam along with Samer Al Sayed and Karl Njeim, fighting for every chance to prove they are not an easy opponent under coach Gilbert Saliba.
Not to forget many talented, skilled and determined players who will pour blood, sweat and tears all on the floor for the chance to share the spotlight with all time greats as Riyadi, Sagesse and others. We eagerly await the start of the season.
Article by: Natalio Chelala.
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