Rwandan Hoops Powerhouses Dominate: APR adn REG Secure FIBA WBLA Berths in Thrilling Fashion
KIGALI, RWANDA – The roar of the crowd, the squeak of sneakers on hardwood, and the sheer determination etched on players’ faces – it was a spectacle of African basketball as two Rwandan powerhouses, APR and rwanda Energy Group (REG), punched their tickets to the FIBA Women’s Basketball League of Africa (WBLA) 2025 season. In a display of grit and offensive firepower, both teams overcame tough opposition to secure their coveted spots, showcasing the burgeoning talent and competitive spirit of Rwandan women’s basketball.
APR’s Resilience Shines Through in Hard-Fought Victory
The first semi-final clash saw APR lock horns with Burundi’s Les Hippos in a contest that was anything but a walk in the park. While APR ultimately emerged victorious, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story of a game where Les Hippos consistently threatened to upset the apple cart.
Early on, it was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows. However, a crucial stretch in the first quarter saw APR’s dynamic duo, Italee Lucas and Yacine Diop, ignite the offense. Two consecutive three-pointers from Lucas and Diop, with just over three minutes left in the opening period, propelled APR to a 21-15 lead. While the Burundians, Les Hippos, managed to stay within striking distance at 25-22 by the end of the quarter, the momentum had begun to shift.
The second quarter was where APR truly asserted their dominance. Their defense tightened like a vise,stifling Les Hippos’ attack and orchestrating an 11-1 run that ballooned their lead to a commanding 36-23. It felt like APR was on the verge of running away with it.
Though, basketball is a game of runs, and Les Hippos, led by the tenacious Diedhiou Laurence Sabine, refused to fold. Sabine’s six points in the second quarter helped her team snatch the period 20-11, narrowing the deficit to a manageable 12 points at halftime. This surge demonstrated the resilience and fighting spirit that would define Les Hippos’ performance throughout the game.
APR winger Assouma Uwizeye, speaking to FIBA.basketball, encapsulated the team’s mindset: We always keep a winning mentality, even under pressure, and today was no different. they gave us problems, but we showed our character.
She added, the mission is not over: we still have a title to go for and that motivates us even more. After obtaining a wild card last year,it’s special to achieve direct qualification this time.
This quote highlights the team’s ambition and the meaning of earning a direct spot after a wildcard appearance the previous year.
The third quarter saw les Hippos mount a spirited comeback. They dominated the period,clawing their way back to within eight points (48-40) and then to within a single possession (53-47) thanks to a clutch three-pointer from Shauqunna Nicole Collins. The momentum was palpable, and Brittany Nichole Autry, stepping up in succession, fueled a run that brought the Burundians to within a single point at 53-52. It was a nail-biting moment that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. However, APR managed to weather the storm, regain their composure, and re-establish their lead at 61-54 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a masterclass from APR. Mushumba’s players unleashed a dominant offensive performance, outscoring Les hippos 21-7 to seal the victory. Italee Lucas led the charge, finishing with a game-high 21 points, just one more than her teammate Yacine Diop, who also contributed nine rebounds. Lucas showcased her all-around game with eight assists, while A’Lexxus Davis was a force on the boards, grabbing ten rebounds to go with her nine points.
Isatha Carlette Nzisabira of Les Hippos, despite the loss, expressed pride in her team’s performance: It was a arduous match but a great experience for our team. it has been a long time since a Burundian team had reached the semi-finals, and we hope to go even further.
She emphasized their continued focus, stating, We still have a match for third place, which we absolutely want to win to qualify. We will have to find our rhythm and remain consistent.
This underscores the competitive nature of the tournament and the high stakes involved, even for teams that don’t reach the final.
REG’s defensive Masterclass Secures WBLA Berth
In the second semi-final, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) delivered a performance that was as dominant as it was decisive. They put together a colossal third quarter against hosts KPA, outscoring them an astonishing 23-6. This quarter was the turning point, effectively sealing the match and
In a thrilling Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) matchup, REG of Rwanda staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) with a final score of 67-55. KPA held a commanding lead through the second and third quarters, extending it to as much as +21, with Kayana Traylor leading the charge with 18 points. Though, REG’s tenacious defense and strategic adjustments in the latter half of the game proved to be the difference-maker.
The game kicked off with a defensive slugfest, as both teams grappled to find their offensive rhythm. The hosts, KPA, initially seized a 9-2 advantage by capitalizing on several turnovers. REG, however, showed resilience, clawing their way back to a 12-9 deficit before KPA re-established a seven-point lead.
kristina King’s clutch shot put KPA up 18-15, but a swift counterattack lay-up from Lamla Umunezero brought the Rwandans within striking distance. REG then surged ahead, taking a 20-18 lead and later extending it to 23-22, exploiting KPA’s struggles with ball management.
the third quarter proved to be a turning point, and a nightmare for KPA. They endured a scoring drought of over five minutes, allowing REG to go on a dominant 33-22 run. Chantal Kiyobe, a former KPA player, was instrumental in this surge, pouring in 11 points during a period where REG outscored KPA 23-6, leaving KPA with a daunting 17-point deficit heading into the final quarter.
“We knew it would be a difficult match, as KPA is a strong team. We defended well and played together. We committed too many turnovers in the first half, but once we corrected them, we executed better. Qualifying the team once again for the WBLA feels good. We want to bring the trophy home,staying true to our game plan and solid in defense,” explained Chantal Kiyobe.
Betty Kananu of KPA acknowledged the tough loss but remained focused on the team’s future. “It’s a difficult defeat but we remain focused on tomorrow. We accept this poor performance and promise better. The first two quarters were okay, but the third one changed everything. Something went wrong,I can’t say what,but we couldn’t do anything about it. We will rest, recover mentally and find a solution to our third quarters, which are costing us our matches,” she stated.
The Gladiators Secure Seventh Place
In the first ranking match, the Gladiators of Burundi clinched seventh place with a hard-fought 74-69 victory over Don Bosco Lioness of Tanzania. The Burundian squad dominated the paint,out-rebounding their opponents 46-34,and started strong with quarter scores of 21-16 and 20-17 in a highly competitive contest.
Esperance Kaneza and Kadidiatou Traore were a dynamic duo for the Gladiators, combining for 34 points, with kaneza leading the way with 19. Divine Irakoze and Nathalie Butoyi also contributed double-digit scoring with ten points each.
For Don Bosco Lioness, Lavender Opondo (27 points) and Taudencia Oluoch (26 points) put on remarkable individual performances, but their efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome the Gladiators’ balanced attack.
FIBA
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