Beirut First beats Tunisia to rule Dubai International Basketball Championship

Beirut First averted collapse and escaped Tunisia, 80-72, to claim the title in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on late Sunday at the Al Nasr Club in Dubai, UAE.

Beirut nearly wasted a 20-point lead, but put in the finishing touches to turn back Tunisia, the same team that defeated Strong Group Athletics in a controversial semifinals duel, to emerge on top.

Mohamad Ali Haidar led the charge with 25 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and four blocks while former PBA import Ricky Ledo chipped in 23 markers, seven boards, and five dimes.

A Tony Farmer dunk halfway in the third period catapulted Beirut First to a huge 62-42 lead, but Tunisia responded with an 11-0 run to head to the fourth staring at only nine-point deficit, 62-53.

A pair of charities from Firas Lahiani further sliced Tunisia's deficit to six, 64-58, before a booming triple from Ledo cut the momentum and sent Beirut to a 67-58 advantage en route to the win.

Omar Abada paced Tunisia with 14 points, three assists, three steals and one rebound while Bilal Al Jaziri chipped in 13 markers and four boards as they settled for silver.

Meanwhile, Strong Group lost to UAE National Team by default, 0-20, after the Philippine representatives decided to withdraw from the tournament in a call for "equality and fairness in officiating".

—JMB, GMA Integrated News