APR secured their first Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 title, defeating rivals Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 82-71 in an entertaining final on in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday. The Rwandan powerhouse will be making back-to-back appearances after last year's debut in the continental competition, via a wild card, hoping to improve on their third-place finish in Dakar last December. Head coach Charles Mushumba says playing six consecutive matches was not easy but he lauded his players for remaining calm and fighting to grab the qualification to WBLA finals with the title in the zonal qualifiers. Our recruitment was very good and that has been proven on the court. We played our part and I believe this was our time to be champions, everything clicked. In this match, we carried the same philosophy, scoring more and managing our time well,” Mushumba Mushumba. “Defense alone cannot win matches, we had to be efficient upfront so we could have something to defend. I am happy we are heading to the WBLA as Zone Five champions. APR dominated the opening quarter 22-12 following a 9-0 run early in the match that left the Rwandan champions REG chasing. Faustine Mwizerwa's three-point shot got the second quarter comeback attempt going for REG, Kristina King bringing the side within a basket, from range, at 28-26 with just over three minutes to halftime. Sensing danger, APR mounted yet another run, going 12-2 in just two minutes to give themselves a 12-point cushion, with Destiney Philoxy leading the halftime scores with 12. The third quarter was sort of basketball poetry in motion as APR fought to maintain their advantage, while the REG responded with perfect timing on attacks to make it 49-46 halfway through the stanza. Kamba Yoro Diakité shot from behind the arc, pulling APR away for 55-50. Kayana Traylor, and Rosine Micomyiza scored to make it a one-point game at 55-54 before Gloriose Byukusenge bringought the Pape Malick Goudiaby-coached side level at 57 while Philoxy closed the quarter from the free-throw line for 59-57. The final quarter was no different as APR tried to pull away, going 64-57 ahead in the opening minute but REG refused to go, coming close again at 66-64. REG sent APR to the charity stripe three times for five conversions, leading to a seven-point lead that ended up costing REG the match, leaving APR some space to run the show for a 23-11 final quarter which was enough to accomplish the revenge against a side that stole them the championship in the domestic league. Meanwhile, the competition saw its first overtime decision in the third-place play-off, with hosts Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) securing their place in the continental tournament by beating Burundi's Les Hippos. The Antony Ojukwu-led side won the third-place match 89-81 in overtime (OT), after a 75-all draw in regulation time.
