APR BBC have officially secured their place in the BAL5 Playoffs and Finals after a determined 77–74 win over Nairobi City Thunder. The victory marks APR’s third in the group stage and guarantees their advancement, alongside Al Ahli Tripoli, from the Nile Conference. The BAL5 Playoffs and Finals will be held from June 6–14 in Petrolia, South Africa.
After enduring three consecutive losses, the Rwandan side found its rhythm in a high-stakes game. They trailed 45–35 at halftime, struggling with execution and defensive lapses in the first half. However, a strong second-half performance, marked by improved defense and more disciplined play, allowed them to close the gap and eventually take the lead in the final minutes.
Center Aliou Diarra led the charge with an outstanding performance, tallying 22 points, 16 rebounds, and a game-high efficiency rating of 46. Guard Obadiah Noël added a crucial three-pointer in the final minute to help seal the win for APR.
With this result, APR BBC joins Al Ahli Tripoli in advancing from the Nile Conference.
Al Ahli Tripoli, meanwhile, maintained their unbeaten record by cruising to a 102–73 victory over Made by Ball Basketball. Their consistent offensive output throughout the group stage made history, they became the first team to score over 100 points in every group game.
Egyptian forward Assem Marei continued to impress, contributing 18 points, 11 rebounds, and a 29 efficiency rating in just 22 minutes of play. His all-around performance once again highlighted his importance to Tripoli’s system.
With the Nile Conference now concluded, attention shifts to the upcoming matchups in other conferences, as teams battle for the remaining spots in South Africa’s highly anticipated BAL5 Playoffs and Finals.
PHOTOS BY Shema Innocent
