APR Rwanda Shines with Record-Breaking 123 Points in BAL Playoffs

In a thrilling battle for third place, APR Rwanda delivered a dominant performance against Al Ittihad, making BAL history as the highest-scoring team in the league’s playoffs.

 

The first half ended with APR securing an impressive 40-point lead, bringing the halftime score to 74-34. During the break, the crowd was entertained by a halftime show featuring the talented Bassie, vocalist, songwriter, and dance, adding to the excitement in the arena. 

In the second half, APR Rwanda continued their relentless offensive streak, gradually reaching triple-digit scores. Axel Mpoyo (jersey #7) remained a consistent leader in points, he broke the BAL record with 10 three-pointers in a single game, surpassing Will Perry's previous mark of 9.

APR recorded their biggest lead of 41 points against Al Ittihad in the third quarter. The team did exceptionally well. Despite their incredible scoring display, they had to settle for third place in the semifinals instead of taking home the championship trophy. 

 

Coaches Reflect on the Match 

Al Ittihad’s head coach, Omar Ahmed Mohamed Soliman, admitted that his team struggled early on. "The first half was horrible, our defense was weak, and we didn’t adjust well. Things improved as the game went on, but unfortunately, it was too late" he said. He noted that injuries and fatigue played a role in their performance after strong showings in previous BAL conferences. "Our chemistry didn’t work for us this time, but we hope to come back stronger next season," he added. 

Meanwhile, APR Rwanda’s head coach, James Maye, celebrated his team's achievements. "Scoring 123 points means a lot to us, especially in our first-ever playoff appearance. Winning this match against Al Ittihad shows the caliber of our team." He highlighted the historic significance for Rwanda, saying, "We took a huge leap as a team, proving that we can play at the highest level. The main goal was to bring success to the country and show up as a team." 

With APR securing third place, the BAL championship final is now set: Al Ahli Tripoli will face Petro de Luanda at 4 PM on June 14. Earlier in the day, the South African Select Team competed against NBA Academy. While they suffered a 74-78 loss, they showed improvement compared to last year’s performance. The championship showdown promises to be an intense battle, with both Al Ahli Tripoli and Petro de Luanda aiming to claim the BAL title. 

Picture credit: BAL