Kiriyat Ata Completes Dramatic Comeback to Reach Winner Cup Quarterfinals

Ironi Kiriyat Ata secured the final spot in the Winner Cup basketball tournament quarterfinals after a thrilling 98-99 overtime victory against Hapoel HaEmek in the second play-in game. The team, coached by Eldad Bentov, trailed by as many as 30 points in the first quarter but staged a remarkable comeback to win.

Kiriyat Ata will now face the reigning champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next round. Key performers in the comeback win included Daniel Sharon with 22 points and 9 rebounds, Holland Woods with 21 points, and Tomer Assaig with 20 points.

Coach Bentov expressed immense satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting their fighting spirit. "Every game for us, we come to win and give everything. We conceded 30 points in the first quarter but then came back big time," Bentov stated. He emphasized the team's mentality, "We can come back from any deficit. That's the mentality. With the pace we play, anything is possible."

Bentov also praised player Daniel Sharon for his exceptional character and performance, noting his minimal mistakes. He also mentioned the promising debut of a player named Huli, who transitioned from the youth league to the senior team, proving he belongs at the top level.

The team is also set to welcome new addition Tyris Radford, expected to bring speed, creativity, shooting, and offensive firepower. Additionally, Jordan Cohen has returned to full training after an injury and is anticipated to play in the upcoming game.