KIBAHA (Tanzania) - The two sides, favourites from the onset of the eight-team competition in Kibaha, lived up to expectations, advancing to the final after convincing victories over Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Fox Divas respectively.
Here's how the day's action unfolded:
APR silence resilient KPA to advance
Rwanda side APR have not missed a place in the WBLA since making their debut in 2024 when the tournament was hosted in Dakar, Senegal, and this year's tournament will be no different as they are through to the final of the Zone 5 qualifiers, thanks to an 80-64 win over Kenyan champions KPA in the semis.
The WBLA back-to-back bronze medalists took charge of their clash against the 2023 African silver medalists, KPA, from the onset and never looked back, despite both sides enjoying runs that held potential to swing the game either way.
However, a fourth quarter slump for the Kenyan side, scoring just two baskets in 10 minutes, allowed APR to easily take the match, having led by nine points heading to the final stanza.
Jessica Jackson continued to play a crucial role for the Julian Martinez-coached side, anchoring APR's victory with yet another spectacular performance as she chipped 22 points, completing a double-double with 10 rebounds, while coming three blocks shy of a rare triple-double in 38:22.
She shot 8-of-14 from the field, with just two attempts from deep, while missing once from the line in six attempts.
Yacine Diop also delivered a double-double with 18 points, and 11 rebounds, adding two assists, and three steals in 35:02, while Lhavanguane added 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 34:12 as the trio combined for 53 of APR's 80 points.
The Kenyan side, whose charge was led by Victoria Reynolds with a game-high 25 points, including a 4-of-5 shooting from deep, were chocked 56-28 on the paint, their biggest misgiving in the match up.
Fox Divas no match for star-studded REG
Kayana Traylor and Destiney Philoxy combined for more than half (53) of REG's points in a 103-57 victory over home side Fox Divas, the duo coming just four points short of equaling the opponent's combined score in the entire game.
Chasing a maiden Zone 5 title, the Cheikh Sarr-led REG had the duo to thank for the statement win as Traylor scored three of her six treys in the first quarter, contributing 13 points while Philoxy added 11 in a 33-12 opening quarter, a clear statement of intent.
Traylor eventually stole the show with a game-high 31 points in 30:35 while Philoxy tallied 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field in just over 22 minutes.
While the duo led the scoring, reigning WBLA champion Delicia Washington orchestrated the offense with a rare double-double of 10 points and a game-high 11 assists in 30:46. She also collected 5 steals and added as many rebounds. Kristina King also contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Meanwhile, Kadidia Maiga grabbed 14 rebounds, coming two points shy of a double-double, and going on to finish with her side's highest efficiency, having added three assists, as many steals, and two blocks in 29 minutes, all without a turnover.
Carrying a 29-point advantage into the second half did little to slow REG down as they still dominated the remaining quarters for the massive 46-point victory, having dominated all fronts despite being out-rebounded 51-38.
FIBA