APR BBC closed out their 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL5) campaign in emphatic fashion on Wednesday night, defeating Egypt’s Al Ittihad 123–90 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. The victory secured a third-place finish for the Rwandan champions, making them the first team from Rwanda and the broader East African region to earn a medal in the BAL.
From the opening minutes, APR played with clear intent, executing a fast-paced offense that Al Ittihad struggled to contain. By the final buzzer, APR had not only secured the win but also etched their name into the BAL record books by setting three league records: the most points scored by a team in a single game (123), the most three-pointers made by a team in a game (24), and the most three-pointers made by an individual player (10).
Leading the charge was forward Axel Mpoyo, who delivered a standout performance with 32 points, six rebounds, and a sharp shooting display that saw him hit 10 of his 17 three-point attempts. His 10 made threes set a new league record for individual shooting in a single game and provided the offensive spark that carried APR through a dominant second half. With a field goal percentage of 59%, Mpoyo’s confidence from long range helped stretch the floor and break down Al Ittihad’s defense.
APR’s performance was far from a one-man show. The team executed efficiently across all positions, with crisp ball movement and disciplined defensive efforts complementing their outside shooting. The bench contributed solid minutes, and the players remained locked in despite the high-scoring tempo of the game. Head coach Cliff Owuor praised his team’s focus, noting that their ability to stay composed under pressure and share the ball was key to the result.
The win carries added weight when placed in the context of APR’s journey through the tournament. After a slow start in the Nile Conference, they gradually gained momentum, registering a key knockout victory against reigning champions Petro de Luanda before falling short of the final. However, their third-place finish — coupled with a record-breaking performance — underscored the progress of a team that has invested heavily in development and regional competitiveness.
More broadly, APR’s achievement signals a significant step forward for basketball in East Africa. While Rwandan clubs have featured in previous editions of the BAL, most notably Patriots BBC reaching the semi-finals in 2021, this is the first time a team from the region has claimed a podium finish.
APR BBC now heads back to Kigali with more than silverware. They return as record-setters and representatives of a region on the rise. As the BAL continues to expand its reach and level of play, performances like this will serve as benchmarks for teams seeking to close the gap between established powers and emerging programs. For APR and East African basketball, this third-place finish may be a sign of more to come.
PHOTOS BY Dylan
