Tuesday night, the Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club, REG BBC defeated the Abidjan Basket Club Fighters 80-73, moving the team closer to winning a BAL playoff berth. Adonis Filer was unrelenting.
DAKAR – With a decisive victory over Abidjan Basket Club Fighters in Dakar Arena, Rwanda’s national team moved one step closer to winning a playoff position in the Sahara Conference, where the competition for the playoffs slots appears to be tight.
Having trailed by 7 points at the break (17-20, 20-24), Dean Murray’s REG came all the way back to take the last two quarters (26-18, 17-11) and won the game 80-73.
While Adonis Filer led all scorers with 25 points, Cleveland Thomas added 14 and Dieudonné Ndizeye had 10. Starters Pitchou Manga and Delwan Graham contributed as well as Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza who came off the bench to score 7 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists.
It was REG’s second win in two games and today, they will rub shoulders with host AS Douanes.
REG BBC is poised to advance to the postseason once more after last year’s heartbreaking playoff exit in Kigali and going into this season with modest expectations. If they overcome AS Douanes, a spot in the playoffs will be guaranteed. The country and the management of the club, though, have their expectations set higher than what was achieved last season.
For the third consecutive season, Basketball Africa League Playoffs will be held in BK Arena, Kigali from 21-27 May 2023.
Eight teams from Sahara and Nile Conferences will compete in a single-elimination Playoffs and Final with the winner crowned the third BAL champion. US Monastir are defending champions
