Ayo Victor
Doha: Al Rayyan and Al Arabi secured their places in the semifinals of the 2025–2026 Amir Cup Basketball Championship after impressive victories on Sunday evening at Al Gharafa Arena, bringing the quarterfinal stage to a close.
Al Rayyan defeated Al Gharafa 104–82 in a high-scoring, fast-paced encounter, while Al Arabi comfortably overcame Qatar Club 104–73. Both teams displayed superior control in crucial moments, showcasing their readiness for the next stage despite competitive performances from their opponents.
In the first game, Al Rayyan took an early lead, winning the opening quarter 33–21 through efficient offense and quick transitions. Al Gharafa responded strongly in the second period, edging it 24–20 to narrow the gap. However, Al Rayyan regained dominance in the third quarter (26–22) and sealed the win with a commanding 25–15 final period.
Malik Romero Carey starred for Al Rayyan with a game-high 44 points, while Devin Morris Ebanks led Al Gharafa with 41 points in a contest that highlighted individual brilliance alongside team efforts.
Al Arabi maintained their strong form throughout their clash with Qatar Club. They started steadily, leading the first quarter 21–17, before pulling away with a dominant 31–22 second quarter thanks to solid defense and swift transitions. The third quarter ended 24–17 in their favour, and they closed out the game with a 28–17 fourth quarter for a convincing victory.
Joshua Morris Nicholas was Qatar Club’s top scorer with 31 points, while Abdulrahman Yahya led Al Arabi with 20 points.
With these results, the semifinal lineup is now complete. Earlier in the quarterfinals, Al Ahli beat Al Wakrah 85–72, and Al Sadd defeated Al Shamal 107–96.
The semifinals are scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, at Al Gharafa Arena:
- Al Ahli vs. Al Arabi at 6:00 PM
- Al Sadd vs. Al Rayyan at 8:00 PM
The championship final will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM, also at Al Gharafa Arena. Both semifinal ties promise intense competition as the four remaining teams battle for a place in the decisive match.
