NAIROBI (Kenya)- After three days of doing battle in the nine-team WBLA Zone Five qualifiers, the chaff is being separated from the wheat as teams battle for a place in the Semis. Favourites Rwanda Energy Group (REG), the Zone silver medalists, their counterparts and reigning African bronze medalists APR and 2023 Zone champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) continued dominant displays to remain unbeaten. Here's the day's action:
REG beat home side Zetech to remain perfect
Pape Malick Goudiaby's Rwanda Energy Group (REG) continued their dominant display in the second match of the Zonal qualifiers, picking a convincing 86-44 victory over Zetech Sparks. The reigning Zone Five silver medalists, chasing a maiden title, were the better side on all fronts against the debutants. REG capitalised on their superior ball handling, while punishing Zetech's turnovers to pull away from a relatively closely contested first quarter for the 42-point victory. Zetech, a varsity side fielding one of the youngest squads in the competition, enjoyed their only lead at 4-2 before REG took charge to lead 23-7, a run that knocked the momentum off the Maurice Obilo-led side, going on to struggle the entire match. Obilo's charges mounted a comeback in the closing four minutes of the opening quarter, going on a 9-1 run that brought them to 24-16. Their momentum continued in the second quarter with yet another 7-2 start, moving three points shy (26-23) of the Rwandese champions.
Startled by Zetech's resurgence, REG tightened their ship defensively, Hope Butera's layup with 4:50 to play making it a double-digit game at 36-26. The side cut Zetech to size defensively, restricting them to two points in just under six minutes for 50-28 at halftime. "It was a good game and we are happy for the win. The focus now is to qualify for the semis as the best team in our group so these two wins were key. We know group A has more matches than us and the teams are experienced so we have to make improvements before meeting any of those teams. There are a few defensive blunders that we need to work on, while improving in other areas, but I believe the players have what it takes to fight for qualification," REG head coach Malick Goudiaby. A similar script followed in the third quarter, Zetech scoring one basket yet again in the last five minutes while allowing REG to go on a 17-point spree for 73-36, an unsurmountable challenge for Obilo's charges who lost the final stanza 13-8. "I believe my players had a better game today. They are getting into the championship one game at a time. The energy was better and that is what we ride on going to the next match. Every game is important and we are playing to win, which will be the target in the last group game against Don Bosco Lioness," Zetech head coach Maurice Obilo.
Fox Divas no match for star-studded APR
For the second day in a row, Rwandese side APR continued to turn heads in Nairobi, playing for an 89-51 victory over Tanzania's Fox Divas. Coming off a victory against Magic Stomers, Divas carried that momentum to today's clash but were quickly reminded of hierarchy, holding on for just under five minutes to trail by two at 9-7. Destiny Philoxy and Yacine Diop started a 13-2 run for 22-9, forcing Fox into a much-needed timeout with two minutes to play in the first quarter, but the Rwandese held on for a 27-12 lead. The 15-point deficit did not deter Divas as they made adjustments on defense in the second quarter. However, they failed to reward themselves on the basket, missing some sitters for a 20-14 quarter, heading to the second half trailing 47-26.
"This was a team win, everyone played well today despite slacking on defense a bit. However, I believe we will get better as the tournament progresses. Our defensive transition needs to get better, but we will regroup and come back better as we advance. We have a great team that is sharing the ball well and everyone can score which is great to have coming into this tournament where matches are back-to-back," APR forward Yacine Diop said. Italee Lucas, Diop and Kamba Diakite almost shit from range in the opening half of the third quarter, pulling APR away to 57-31, while quashing any comeback hopes with a 21-9 show. The final stanza belonged to APR too despite fielding their bench for the better part of the action. Diakite, for the second match in a row top scored for the Rwandese military side, dropping 23 points in a match where Diop rules both ends for a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double. Lucas and Charlotte Umugwaneza added 15 and 12 points respectively in the win, the former coming an assist short of a double-double and three rebounds shy of a rare triple-double. "It was a tough game as they gave us a real challenge. Being a young squad it was tough to make adjustments and cover many areas but we are here to learn and improve with each game. The team has a fighting spirit that has kept us going in such moments and that's what we want our identity to be the entire tournament," Fox Divas' Evelyne Nakiyingi who scored 18 in the loss, told FIBA.basketball.
KPA dominate Stomers to go 2-0
Hosts Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) got back to action after a day's rest to produce the second highest winning score at the ongoing competition, defeating Uganda's Magic Stomers 94-41 in an entertaining clash. A quick 15-1 run for the Antony Ojukwu-led side gave a glimpse of how the match would pan, and despite a spirited fight led by teenage sensation Angella Auma, the opening period ended 21-8. KPA's depth was evident as coach Ojukwu gave playing time to all 12 players with 10 getting on the score sheet. WBLA reigning top rebounder Aminata Ly led the onslaught for Ojukwu on 16 points and 14 rebounds in a game that had Ivorian Alima Doumbia scoring 17, Ifunanya Okoro adding 16 to the win.
KPA, who led by as many as 53 at one point, were dominant on the paint, outscoring the opponent 58-22 for a massive advantage. Just like they did against Fox the previous day, Stomers struggled with ball handling, turning the ball over 33 times to hand KPA 37 points, against 11 off 23 turnovers. A 34-6 contribution from fast breaks and 25-11 on second chances sealed the victory for the host team. "We are looking to play well in every win and I am impressed with the squad so far. We have assembled one of the best squads over the years and I believe the players have what it takes to deliver. From the two matches, we have worked on our chemistry and we are getting confident with each match. The target is not only to qualify for WBLA but also reclaiming the Zone title we lost to Al Ahly last year. This is our championship to lose and we have the squad and the home support and I am confident we can win. However, we cannot be overconfident, we are taking it one game at a time," KPA head coach Antony Ojukwu said. The victory for the Mombasa-based side leaves Stomers with three losses after falling to Fox Divas on Monday and Gladiator through a walkover on opening night.
FIBA