Al Ittihad of Libya defeated Alexandria Union of Egypt 88-85 on Friday 16 October at the Al Fayhaa hall in Damascus, winning the international friendly tournament by three points. The title capped a successful Syrian trip for the Libyan side ahead of a far more consequential outing on the Road to BAL.
Al Ittihad edged the first quarter 19-18 and led 45-42 at half-time, stretching the margin to eight points at 67-59 after three quarters. Alexandria Union closed the gap to one point at 80-79 with two minutes left and levelled at 81-81 before the Libyans pulled clear in the final stretch.
Both finalists had reached the final with comfortable wins in the semis, Al Ittihad beating Lebanon's Antranik 112-99 and Alexandria Union seeing off Sharjah 86-72. The Damascus trophy does not offer a place in the Basketball Africa League; clubs must instead qualify through the Road to BAL.
Al Ittihad resume competitive action on 21 October at the grande salle de Tripoli, where they will face Stade Malien, Algeria's Staouéli and Cape Verde's Kriol Star. Their match against Kriol Star is scheduled for Thursday 22 October at 18:30 local time (17:30 in Brazzaville). The top two from the group advance to the Elite 16, the next qualification stage.
