BEIRUT, Lebanon (23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup): Al Riyadi Beirut received a shot in the arm in their preparations to defend the FIBA Asia Champions Cup crown, when they host the 23rd FIBA Asia Champions Cup starting next Monday, when they won the 12th Hariri Cup international tournament beating African champions Etoile Sportif du Sahel of Tunisia 68-61 on Tuesday.

Riyadi called the shots right from the word go with their newest hot recruit Ahmad Ibrahim at the vanguard and took control of the proceedings in the first period.

Riyadi control only grew as the game progressed as Egyptian Ismail Ahmad and Croat Dalibor Bagaric along with veteran Joe Vogel playing their roles to perfection.

Ismail Ahmad finished with 20 points.

FIBA Asia