05 Jan.2017– Jbeil will be our venue for tonight as Champville visit Byblos eyeing their third win.
Byblos have been playing great competitive basketball and with a good run in the beginning of the season they hope to continue on a high note. They host a stumbling Champville side who hasn’t found the right formula till now. Byblos’ Lebanese players are the reason they have a good record. Rodrigue Akl is showing great style and leading his team perfectly. Especially with Ali Mahmoud out, the pressure builds on Akl to maintain his level. Champville should cut the oxygen off Byblos by denying Akl the ball. Ali Farhat has shown that he can be the guy to take on defensive duties as he played great defense against Terrell previously.
Down low, Champville may have a small advantage with Darien Towns as their big man. He is more physical than Ali Kanaan or Joe Abi Kheres, and can play the post efficiently. The thing is, they should look for him more to be as efficient as he can. We haven’t seen previously plays drawn for him even when he has a mismatch down low. As for Bassel Bawji he will have the task of limiting Ebi Ndudi. Ebi is not the conventional big man. Fast on his feet, can spread the defense with great shooting abilities and great athletism and defensive presence. Bassel is the most able player to stop him.
The greatest matchup today might be between Jay Youngblood and Patrick Rembert. 2 exquisite scorers with great shooting, can create their shot and slash through the lane to score at the basket. While Rembert may have speed on his side, Jay has his physical presence to show for. A battle between 2 leaders, scorers and game changers is bound to go down. While this fight is happening, another is ready to burst. Clay Tucker and Brandon Thomas are facing up in a matchup where no clear winner can be named. Both players are very cool on the floor, great decision-making and use their experience to lead their teams when needed. Both great shooters, they can change the course of the game in a heartbeat.
Both teams can count on their bench players. Byblos can rely on Tarek Ammoury to always come in and give his best. He is a fighter who never gives up on a play and his offensive sense makes him a prominent danger. From Champville, big hopes are on Mazen Mneimneh to get back to form as his team need an experienced player to push further in the season.
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