Orthodoxi play Riyadi for Jordan Cup title

AMMAN — The season’s first basketball competition concludes on Tuesday when Orthodoxi play Riyadi in the final of the Jordan Cup.

On their way to the final Orthodoxi beat Awdeh 56-46 while Riyadi beat Ghazzet Hashem 87-67. 

The knockout competition saw Riyadi oust Kufr Youba, Orthodoxi beat Hurrieh, Awdeh beat Nashama and Ghazzet Hashem beat Jalil in the first round. 

Last season, Applied Science University (ASU) beat Ittihad Schools for the Jordan Cup title after they ousted Riyadi and Orthodoxi in the semis. ASU and Ittihad have pulled out of competitions over differences with the Jordan Basketball Federation and players have been dispersed over the rest of clubs.

The Jordan Cup has seen Riyadi win in 2002, 2011 and 2012, Fastlink took the title for four consecutive seasons 2003-04-05-06, Orthodoxi in 2007, Zain in 2008, ASU in 2010, 2013 and 2014.

Orthodoxi are reigning Premier Basketball League champs after they beat Ittihad for their record 23rd title. The veteran team returned to the forefront of competitions after winning the League in 2011 ending a 10-year drought when they beat titleholders ASU. In 2012 and 2013, ASU dominated beating Ittihad to win the league for two back to back titles and the fourth time in their record.

Observers have pointed out to a regression that negatively affected the basketball scene in the past few years and hope players and fans will return to the courts, and help bring the zeal of competition to Jordan’s second most popular sport.

The Jordan Cup is a good warm up for teams ahead of the Premier Basketball League as teams scramble to finalise their line-ups with no import players this season. 

Jordan Cup Record