{"id":37690,"date":"2023-03-18T15:40:28","date_gmt":"2023-03-18T15:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/how-reg-secured-the-first-2023-bal-playoffs-spot"},"modified":"2023-03-18T17:09:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-18T17:09:26","slug":"how-reg-secured-the-first-2023-bal-playoffs-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/how-reg-secured-the-first-2023-bal-playoffs-spot","title":{"rendered":"How REG secured the first 2023 BAL playoffs spot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rwanda Energy Group (REG) became the first team to qualify for the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs.<\/p>\n

But how did they do it? The Rwandan champions are up 3-0 with two games to play in the Sahara Conference.<\/p>\n

The other team with three games, as of Thursday, March 17, is Kwara Falcons (0-3).<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b>: BAL 2023: REG’s top performers so far<\/p>\n

The Rwandan champions fought nail and tooth to be in the privileged position they are now. After beating the Falcons (64-48), Abidjan Basket Club (80-73) and AS Douanes (69-55), REG will face Stade Malien and US Monastir to close their BAL regular season campaign.<\/p>\n

The Rwandan champions\u2019 ability to fight back, and their perseverance, have been crucial. At times, they had their backs against the wall, but they managed to turn things around.<\/p>\n

What do the numbers show?<\/b><\/p>\n

After three consecutive wins in the 2023 Sahara Conference, numbers show that REG: limited their opponents to 58.6 points while scoring 71 points per game; averaged 5 block shots per game; and improved their 3-point shooting gradually.<\/p>\n

From game 1 to 3, REG scored 4, 9 and 11 three-pointers.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ<\/b>: BAL 2023: REG beats AS Douanes to secure playoffs ticket<\/p>\n

They recorded 8.3 steals per game; out-rebounded opponents 140-137; and averaged 21 assists per game.<\/p>\n

When REG trailed by 6 (against Kwara), they turned it around, leading by as many as 23. When REG trailed by 11 (against ABC), they turned it around leading by 16.<\/p>\n

They trailed by 2 against AS Douanes, but fought back to a 24-point lead at some point.<\/p>\n

Who are REG\u2019s key players<\/b><\/p>\n

The Rwandan champions like to advocate team effort for their success, but five players have been key-factors: Adonis Filer averages 13.3 points, 5.7 assists in 33.1 minutes per game; Dieudonne Ndiziye averages 10 points in 20.1 minutes per game; Jean Jacques Wilson Nshohobozwa contributes 8.3 points and 7 rebounds per game; and Cleveland Thomas Jr averages a team-high of 34.1 minutes per game, contributing 13.3 points and 6.3 assists per game.<\/p>\n

While Pitchou Manga averages 7.3 points, 8 rebounds per game n 18.7 minutes per game; Ulrich Chomche plays 19.7 rebounds per game while scoring 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per game.<\/p>\n

And Delwan Graham averages 9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.<\/p>\n

What has REG learned from the past<\/b><\/p>\n

Dakar now starts to become an emblematic place for REG in the BAL.<\/p>\n

A year ago, REG lost to Dakar Universite Club (DUC), but went on to upset US Monastir before closing their 2022 Sahara Conference with a 4-1 mark in the Senegalese capital.<\/p>\n

Despite winning the Sahara Conference, REG were eliminated in the first round of the 2022 BAL playoffs against Cameroon\u2019s FAP.<\/p>\n

What they say about REG\u2019s 3-0 mark and qualification<\/b><\/p>\n

Cleveland Thomas Jr, a REG forward, said: \u201cThe main thing for us [to win the first three games] was our defense. We really focused on our defense. Executing it that way, I feel like it helped us to a good start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWinning the first game gave us confidence. The goal is to finish 5-0. But in order to be 5-0 we got to be 4-0. Our focus now is on the next game. It\u2019s definitely one of our goals, get the No. 1 seed. It gives us a better chance to make it to the Championship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe toughest game for us was the game against the ABC Fighters because we were trailing. All other games before we had a lead going to halftime, but this game with ABC we were trailing. It shows our character and our ability to come back, it was huge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this moment I describe this team as loaded. We have so many weapons. Any night it could be anybody. That\u2019s what I like about this team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rwandan champions take on Stade Malien on Saturday, March 18.<\/p>\n\r\n