The 2023 FIBA Zone V Women’s Championship which came to close in Kigali on Saturday, November 4, lived up to its billing as basketball enthusiasts enjoyed the best of East African Basketball from which Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) returned home victorious. Winning the nine-team regional tournament means that the Kenyan side will, alongside finalists REG, represent the Zone V at the 2023 FIBA Africa championship due to take place in Egypt from December 8 to 17. Times Sport’s Basketball writer Damas Sikubwabo followed weeklong tournament and here are his key takeaways: REG secure ticket to the FIBA Africa championship Rwandan representatives REG women secured their ticket to the FIBA Africa championship the time they defeated Equity Bank of Kenya 76-61 in the semifinals to progress to the final of the qualifiers. They eventually lost the final to KPA 53-87. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: KPA win 2023 FIBA Zone V Women’s Championship The two finalists will represent the Zone V at the continental tournament. APR fail to capitalize home advantage The Rwandan champions came into the tournament as favorites but they failed to make the best out of their home advantage to achieve the feat. The army side suffered a shock exit after a surprising 58-75 quarterfinal defeat to Uganda’s JKL Lady Dolphins. This was a total disappointment from a team which achieved a third-place finish in the same tournament in Tanzania back in 2022. Tetero named in team of the tournament APR Women may have succumbed to an early elimination from the Zone V competition, but their star point guard Odile Tetero was named in the all-tournament team of the 2023 FIBA Zone V Women's Championship as a reward of her heroic performance. Tetero put up good performances which were key to APR's 5th-place finish. She scored 85 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 successful three-point shots during the tournament. ALSO READ REG, KPA qualify for FIBA Africa Champions Cup Meanwhile, REG women’s Betty Kalanga was recognized as the best power forward of the tournament. The Congolese contributed 121 points and grabbing 71 rebounds as REG successfully secured second-place position.
