REG BBC’s Beleck Surpasses As They Excel Against IPRC Kigali In Their Tournament Opener.
Following that, all the other teams played on the first day of the return of competitive basketball in Rwanda, fans were eager to see how REG BBC and UGB would stand out.
United Generation Basketball (UGB) at the expense of RP-IPRC Musanze, recorded their first win of the tournament 77-54 on matchday 2. As for the Musanze based side, chances to proceed to the semi-finals have been diminished after they lost yet another match. UGB’s Glindas Balou was the highlight of the game after he helped his side add 18 points to their tally.
In the second men’s match of the day, IPRC Huye led by Charles Mushumba made a comeback to defeat Espoir BBC with 2 points basket difference. Espoir led in 3 quarters of the game but unfortunately, tables turned in favour of IPRC Huye in the last quarter when the gained momentum closing the 10 point gap Espoir was maintaining. Eric Muhayumukiza ended the match in style with a dunk to secure the first victory for his team 65-63. Espoir continues to suffer loses owing to minor squad problems characterized by last-minute fatigue.
In the final match of the day between REG BBC and IPRC Kigali, Rwanda Energy Group Team featured new faces like young Noah Bigirumwami from the USA and Somali point guard Aden Faisal Jama and the latter caused problems for IPRC Kigali. Faisal studied and played for a long while in the USA and he also featured in Kenyan side KPA in BAL last year.
REG’s Beleck Bell was unstoppable in this game, scoring the highest points, 35. With 5 three pointers and he missed only one free throw in 9 taken. Saidi Amiss was favourite for IPRC Kigali scoring 23 points, made 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
After the match, IPRC Kigali head coach, John Bahufite said they suffered from the REG duo, Beleck and Faisal. He added, “There was a problem today, we had 2 centers but in the third quarter, one of them reached 4 fouls and we benched him and that’s where the difference come from.
After the match, IPRC Kigali head coach, John Bahufite said his side suffered at the cost of REG duo, Beleck and Faisal. He added, “There was a problem today, we had 2 centers but in the third quarter, one of them reached 4 fouls and we benched him and that’s where the difference came from.”
He continued, “REG has 2 players, Faisal and Beleck who made the difference in this game and the fact that defensively we were poor because we used one center.”
The games continue today
