The big four take the quarter-final first legs

Shabab Al Ahli, Sharjah, Al Nasr and Al Bataeh have put a foot in the semi-finals of the men's UAE basketball league after winning their quarter-final first legs.

Al Ahli win by 15

Al Ahli beat Al Jazira 93-78, taking the first and third quarters 25-17 and 28-11; although Al Jazira won the second and fourth 25-17 and 25-21, the win went to Al Ahli.

A comfortable win for Sharjah

Sharjah overcame Bani Yas 89-59, settling all four quarters in their favour: 24-10, 22-20, 23-14 and 20-15.

Al Nasr see off Al Dhafra

In a closely contested match, Al Nasr beat Al Dhafra 90-74, taking the first, second and fourth quarters 31-20, 21-19 and 20-15, with Al Dhafra winning the third 20-18.

Al Bataeh spring a surprise

Al Bataeh caused a considerable upset by beating Al Wasl 64-60, taking the first and fourth quarters 19-16 and 18-8; Al Wasl's recovery to win the second and third 21-14 and 15-13 was not enough, and the match went to Al Bataeh.

The second legs are played on Tuesday 17 March, formally deciding the teams to reach the league semi-finals.

The chance may yet be there for Al Wasl, Bani Yas, Al Jazira and Al Dhafra to come back and win, and so force a deciding third game under the competition's rules.

The eight teams contesting the quarter-finals of the UAE league reached this stage after successfully completing the preliminary round at the start of this month, finishing in the top eight places in the standings.

Safaa Amer