UGB secures semi-final spot; APR impresses at Genocide Memorial Tournament

On the second day of the 2025 Genocide Memorial Tournament (GMT), UGB BBC defeated Dar City of Tanzania, 75-71, to secure a semi-final ticket, while APR BBC defeated Kenya Ports Authority, 99-61, in its first game held on Thursday, April 24, at Petit Stade.

UGB achieved this after topping Group B, having won both of its games, with the former victory being over Patriots BBC 67-65.

However, the APR BBC-KPA match was highly anticipated as many were eager to see the new players that the team recently acquired to represent Rwanda in the BAL.

It was a game that started off very quickly, with both teams scoring. The first quarter ended with APR leading 26-21 against KPA.

The game continued in that vein in the second quarter, with Axel Mpoyo and Youssou Ndoye scoring significantly, extending the gap to 14 points.

The first half ended with APR BBC defeating KPA 53-35.

The Army team continued to dominate the game in the third quarter, as Kenya seemed to have no answer.

This team increased the gap, reaching 30 points (75-45).

In the final quarter, the Army team substituted its entire lineup. The game ended with APR BBC defeating KPA 99-58, starting the tournament well.

In the previous game in this group, KPA defeated REG BBC 58-55.

The Kenyan team played two games on the same day because the one that was supposed to face REG on Wednesday did not take place due to their late arrival in Rwanda.

In the women's division, APR WBBC defeated Kepler WBBC 58-55, while JKL Dolphins defeated East Africa University Rwanda 94-73.

The tournament will continue on Friday, with KPA playing APR WBBC at 1:30 p.m. in the women's division, and JKL Dolphins playing REG WBBC at 4:00 p.m.

In the men's division, Dar City will play Patriots BBC at 6:30 p.m., and APR BBC will play REG BBC at 9:00 p.m.

By Dylan Mugenga