KINSHASA (DR Congo) – ASB New Generation secured the second of the two places available in Group C for the Elite 16, after defeating New Tech Bantou 79–70.
Driven by Gudul Omari Mulomba, the Congolese team came back from a seven-point deficit to win by nine at the end of a hard-fought, high-stakes game.
In this do-or-die clash, the winner of which would join Moanda BB in the next round, it was the Central Africans who got off to the better start. They took advantage of their opponents’ turnovers from the outset to build an early lead, closing the first quarter seven points ahead.
However, the balance of play soon shifted. The rotations increased on both sides and the tempo rose. New Tech Bantou held firm for much of the contest, but their shooting accuracy faded at the worst possible time.
As missed opportunities mounted, the Central Africans began to lose ground, while ASB New Generation stepped up in the final ten minutes.
A 26–15 run in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Congolese, who thus made a strong statement on the regional stage.
Gudul Omari Mulomba, Michael Tshiende, François Xavier Mungenfa Mungenga and Exauce Ikamba Moke were the key architects of this success, combining to score 56 of their team’s 79 points.
At the other end of the court, Valentin Junior Lele — who scored 25 of New Tech Bantou’s 70 points — kept his team in the game for a long time, but could not stop New Generation's late surge.
TURNING POINT: For three quarters, the two teams were neck and neck, trading baskets and defensive stops. With 8:46 remaining, New Generation were still trailing 60–55, but a 7–0 run sparked by Mulomba turned the tide of the game.
Once in front, the Congolese took control of the game, but still had to withstand several late attempts from the Central Africans to find the decisive edge.
Then, with 1:41 left on the clock, a spectacular 9–0 run triggered by Mungenfa and finished off by Mulomba definitively put the game beyond reach for New Tech Bantou.
HEROES: Mulomba led the attack with confidence and authority, finishing with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Tshiende added 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Mungenfa (12 points) and Moke (11 points) demonstrated the team's collective effectiveness.
Deo Mwanyimi also deserves a mention for his contribution to the decisive 9–0 run, scoring the two crucial points that sealed the win during that stretch.
STATS DON’T LIE: The difference was made by New Generation’s bench, which contributed 37 points compared to New Tech Bantou’s mere 12.
Their accuracy was also decisive, with 17 successful free throws out of 25 attempts and eight three-pointers out of 25.
Another key factor was ball movement, with the Congolese dishing out 17 assists over the course of the game, clearly reflecting their collective play.
BOTTOM LINE: By winning in Kinshasa, ASB New Generation became the third DR Congolese club after Chaux Sport in 2024 to reach the Elite 16.
This is a well-deserved achievement for a team that experienced both highs and lows over the course of three intense days of competition.
The next stage will present tougher opposition, and New Generation will need to address their weaknesses while building on the strong foundations of this victory if they are to make an impact.
FIBA