Sitra delivered a statement performance in the Bahrain Cup on Tuesday evening, powering past Al Ahli Manama with a commanding 77-60 victory. The result, secured at a raucous home venue, underlined Sitra’s credentials as one of the teams to beat in this season’s competition.

Dominant Start Sets the Tone

From the opening tip, Sitra dictated the tempo. Their full-court pressure forced Al Ahli Manama into early turnovers, and a 12-2 run in the opening five minutes gave the home side a cushion they never relinquished. By the end of the first quarter, Sitra had established a 22-14 lead, with their transition offense proving too quick for the visitors to contain.

Al Ahli Manama tried to stabilise in the second period, leaning on their veteran guard play to slow the pace. But every mini-revival was met with an immediate answer. Sitra’s ability to convert defensive stops into easy baskets at the other end stretched the lead to 41-29 at halftime, and the home faithful sensed a comfortable evening ahead.

Second-Half Control

The third quarter followed a similar script. Sitra’s perimeter shooting began to click, with two consecutive three-pointers pushing the lead past 20 points for the first time. Al Ahli Manama showed character in the final frame, battling to cut the deficit to 12, but Sitra’s bench provided the necessary energy to close out the game with professionalism.

Turnovers proved decisive. Al Ahli Manama coughed up the ball 19 times, many of them unforced, while Sitra’s disciplined half-court defense limited their opponents to just 38% shooting from the field.

Standout Performers

• Hassan Kamal (Sitra): The guard was a constant menace in transition, finishing with a game-high 24 points and six assists.
• Mahmood Jaffar (Sitra): His interior presence was crucial, recording a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
• Ali Ebrahim (Al Ahli Manama): The forward kept his team competitive with 18 points, including three three-pointers in the second half.

What It Means for the Bahrain Cup

The victory gives Sitra a major boost as they advance in the Bahrain Cup. Their balanced scoring, combined with a relentless defensive identity, makes them a dangerous proposition in a knockout format. Al Ahli Manama, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly, as their title hopes now hinge on consistency and sharper decision-making in future fixtures.

For Sitra, the message from this performance is clear: they have the tools to go all the way. With the defense locked in and the offense flowing, the team will now look to carry this momentum into the next round of the cup.