Holders Riyadi seek to change course as league play-offs tip off

AMMAN — Leaders Orthodoxi play Kufr Youba, while holders Riyadi-Aramex play Awdeh as the Jordan Basketball League play-offs tip off on Saturday.

Riyadi, whose only defeat was against Orthodoxi, will seek to change course as the play-offs continue through February 28.

While the top four will fight for the championship, the bottom four from the regular season already battled it out in the relegation play-offs, with Deir Abi Saied and Hurrieh taking the last two spots.

In the 2015-2016 season, Riyadi-Aramex were crowned league champs — a title which had eluded them for 20 years — when they beat titleholders Orthodoxi to win the best-of -seven play-offs 4-0. 

Hurrieh were third last year, sealing the best-of-five play-offs 3-2 against Awdeh.

The Basketball League, which was launched in 1952, has had 58 editions, with eight teams crowned champion. 

It was cancelled during three seasons and discontinued once. 

Orthodoxi have won 23 times, Ahli 21, Zain 6 times, Applied Science University four times, Jazira-Aramex twice, while Riyadi, Urdun, Watany and the Electricity Co. won once each.

BASKETBALL PLAY-OFFS SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 11

Kufr Youba v Orthodoxi — Al Hassan Hall at 5pm

Riyadi v Al Awdah — Prince Hamzeh Hall at 5pm

Tuesday, February 14

Al Awdeh v Orthodoxi — Prince Hamzah Hall at 5pm

Kufr Youba v Riyadi — Al Hassan Hall at 6pm

Saturday, February 18

Orthodoxi v Riyadi –Orthodoxi Hall at 5pm

Kufr Youba v Al Awdeh– Al Hassan Hall at 6pm

Tuesday, February 21

Al Awdeh v Riyadi — Prince Hamzah Hall at 5pm

Orthodoxi v Kufr Youba — Orthodoxi Hall at 6pm

Saturday, February 25

Orthodoxi v Al Awdeh — Orthodoxi Hall at 6pm

Riyadi v Kufr Youba — Prince Hamzah Hall at 5pm

Tuesday, February 28

Al Awdeh v Kufr Youba — Prince Hamzah Hall at 5pm

Riyadi v Orthodoxi — Prince Hamzah Hall at 6:30pm