Most successful club on the continent, Primeiro de Agosto made it two straight wins with a 70-64 win over Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club (REG) on Saturday to advance to the Elite 8 of the maiden edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball League.
Islando Manuel led the way with a game high 26 points and eight rebounds while Manny Queza came off the bench to score 10 points and four asst in 19 minutes.
Agosto had a slow start in the first quarter (13-19) and were poor on shooting from the arc converting just 7/29 from the deep with Manuel scoring 4 of 8 of his three pointers.
Two REG players finished in double figures, Olivier Shyaka 15 points and Engelbert Beleck recorded a double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rwanda international Kenny Gasana had 11 boards and was 1 point short of a double-double, he scored 9 points in 36 minutes.
8-time champions Agosto becomes the first team to qualify to the Elite 8 with a game to spare. They will play Ferroviaro de Beira who are already out of the competition on Sunday.
Beira lost their second game in a row to host Al Ahly after dominating the first half of the game. The Mozambicans could have recorded their first win but surrendered their lead with 56 seconds left in the third quarter. The host took a two point lead heading to the last quarter and also limited Beira to just 17 points in the fourth (24-17).
Following a slow start, Reginald Holmes scored a game high 23 points, five rebounds and three steals for Al Ahly. Ramy Gunady added 15 points and four asst, Deuce Bello scored 11 points, Mohamed Abouelnar had 11 points, five rebounds and seven asst to go with it.
The 2016 champions shook off the early scare to win their first game 86-77 against Ferroviaro de Beira and a chance to remain in the competition.
Robinson Opong had a team high 20 points, 13 rebounds and 4 of 9 from the arc. Other players who had double figures: Elves Houana 13, Helton Ubisse 12 points and nine rebounds while Ivan Machave contributed 11 points from the bench.
Al Ahly will face REG as the two teams hope to pick the second slot in Group C while Beira take on Primeiro Agosto on Sunday.
