THE FIRST round of the Basketball Super League tournament was set to end in Alexandria on Friday, with six teams competing for victory. Since last Sunday, three teams from Cairo -- Ahli, Zamalek and Gezira -- and three teams from the host city Alexandria -- Semouha, Sporting and Ittihad -- have been fighting hard at the indoor hall of the Alexandria Stadium. After the conclusion of a regular league round, and before the throw off for the first Super League tournament in Alexandria, Gezira Club was in the lead with 23 points, followed by Ahli in second place with 20 points. Zamalek ranked third with 17 points, Ittihad fourth with 16 points, Sporting fifth with 15 points, while Semouha was at the bottom of the table with only 11 points. For the moment, it seems likely that reigning champions Gezira are likely to be defending their title for a second year in a row, as they are three points ahead of archrivals Ahli. But if Ahli wins the tournament Friday, Gezira will have to fight for the second Super League tournament in Cairo. The winner of the league trophy will be decided after the conclusion of the second Super League tournament, scheduled to take place in Cairo from 9 to 14 April, with the same teams competing.
