On Sunday, June 7, Rwanda’s APR BBC delivered one of the most surprising results of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs so far, defeating defending champions Petro de Luanda from Angola 75–57 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
The game, part of the classification round to decide quarterfinal matchups, started in favor of the 2024 champions. Petro de Luanda opened strong, dominating the first quarter 19–11, showing the form that helped them lift last year’s BAL title.
In the second quarter, Rwanda’s champions found their rhythm and stormed back into the game, powered by a dominant display from Aliou Diarra. His energy and presence on both ends helped APR take the second quarter 26–14, leading to a 37–34 halftime advantage.
From that point on, APR took control. They extended their lead to 61–46 by the end of the third quarter, as Petro struggled to regain momentum. Their usually reliable shooting and rebounding fell short against APR’s defensive pressure and agility.
In the final quarter, APR maintained composure and sealed the victory. Despite Petro’s efforts to close the gap, the Rwandan side held firm, marking a historic win and sending a strong message heading into the knockout rounds.
Aliou Diarra led all scorers with 19 points, continuing to establish himself as one of the standout players in this year’s big stages.
APR BBC’s win will not only be a good result for the Rwandan outfit, but also a statement win. Taking down the 2024 champions shows they’re ready for the big stage as the road to the BAL 2025 Finals continues in South Africa.
Photos by Dylan
