The Zamalek of Egypt made a little more history by winning this Sunday at Kigali Arena the first edition of the Basketball Africa League, after their great victory against the Tunisians of US Monastir on the score of 76-63. In a final that kept all its promises between two great teams, Zamalek managed to escape at the end of the third quarter and at the start of the last quarter thanks to an excellent Solo Diabaté out of the oven (14 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists).
Zamalek fans can thank the Ivorian point guard, author of an incredible hot shot behind the arc with three consecutive three-pointers in the most important moments. Mohab Abdellatif was also very valuable for the Egyptians by scoring 14 points without the significant contribution of Michael Fakuade as leading scorer (15 points) and Chinemelu Elonu at both ends of the field (11 points and 12 rebounds). Author of a beautiful competition with an average of 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6 assists, the American Zamalek Walter Hodge was logically elected MVP of the Basketball Africa League.
Egypt’s Zamalek wrote a new page in its history by becoming the first team to win the Basketball Africa League, the new African professional league created by the NBA through a partnership with FIBA Africa.
Led 22-17 in the first quarter time by a team from US Monastir led by the American Marcus Crawford (14 points), the Lebanese Wael Arakji (13 points) and the tenors of the Tunisian national team: Makrem Ben Romdhane ( 14 points and 10 rebounds), Omar Obada (13 points at 3/12 on shots, 4 rebounds and 5 assists), the Zamalek sounded the revolt in the second quarter on a run of 27-20 to pass in front of the break (44-42).
Coming back from the locker room, US Monastir and Zamalek raised their tone in defense, but Zamalek won 11-9 to finish the third quarter on the score of 55-51. In the last ten minutes of the meeting, we witness a huge offensive festival of Solo Diabaté, author of thirteen consecutive points including three 3-point baskets and two lay-ups in less than six minutes, putting the Zamalek of Egypt on the road to victory (68-56, 3.45 minutes from time).
Author of a beautiful competition with an average of 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6 assists, the American Zamalek Walter Hodge was logically elected MVP of the Basketball Africa League.
In the last three minutes, Makrem Ben Romdhane tries to bring US Monastir back into the game, scoring a three-point basket (61-70) at 2.29 minutes, but the American point guard Walter Hodge (12 points ) responds immediately with an award-winning shot (73-61) before the Egyptian Omar Ussein definitely kills the last hopes of US Monastir by planting a 3-point shot in the corner 1.24 minutes from the buzzer (76-61).
The last minute will not change anything since Zamalek of Egypt managed their end of the match perfectly well to win 76-63, thus winning the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League without conceding the slightest defeat (6- 0). US Monastir fell with arms in hand, losing only once in six games (5-1).
Earlier this afternoon, Petro from Luanda took third place in the Basketball Africa League, dominating the Patriots of Rwanda. The final of the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League took place in the presence of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Ian Mahinmi, Dikembe Mutombo and DJ Mbenga without forgetting the president of FIBA Hamane Niang, the deputy commissioner of the NBA Mark Tatum and the president of the BAL Amadou Gallo Fall as well as other basketball personalities.
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Ranking
1. Zamalek from Egypt
2. US Monastir of Tunisia
3. The Petro of Luanda (Angola)
4. Patriots BBC du Rwanda
