Macklin sparkles as Jaish defeat Rayyan

CHAMPIONS El Jaish beat Al Rayyan 92-86 in a Group A round-robin league match of Emir’s Cup at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall last week. 

Vernon Leon Macklin led the scoring with 29 points while Saeed Irfan Ali, Atif El Hadry and Hani Abilmona chipped in with 17, 16 and 13 respectively.

For Rayyan, who led 24-17 after the first quarter, Onassis Bowles and Hassan Mohamed netted 20 and 19 points respectively.

But the Armymen came back with renewed vigour in the second (25-18) and clinched the third (25-21) before wrapping up the match.

In another match in the same group, Ayeni Olatokunbo top-scored with 32 to help Al Wakrah thrash Al Sadd 84-63.

Thomas Blair added 25, with nine coming from the three-point mark, besides producing seven assists and five steals.

For Sadd, Faris Sadikovic netted 15 points while Oumar Seck and Mohamed Ouiri had 14 and 11 respectively.

In an exciting Group B match, Al Arabi rallied to beat Qatar Sports Club 78-73. Adamu Saaka scored 32 while Souleye Ndour had 23 and Osaro Adako 15.

For Qatar SC, Ibou Sarr excelled with 26 points. Ibrahim Giama (16) and Edward Justice (11) were the other scorers.