Coach Pires preaching defense as Inter Clube book semis slot

ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - A 60-27 first-half lead for Elisa Pires' Inter Clube proved a herculean task for Nigerian champions Customs in the last Quarter-Finals match of the day at the Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) as the side went on to lose 89-65.

Italee Lucas and Christina Matiquite combined for 21 of the Angolan side's 31-11 lead in the first quarter with the second quarter ending 29-16 to see the former African champions carry the massive lead to the half-time break.

Inter Clube of Angola reached a Semi-Final of a continental competition for the eighth straight time 

Coach Pires used her second team more in the second half that ended 17-16 and 21-13 in favour of Customs but it was too little too late to change the trajectory of the clash that determined the final team making the Last Four.

Tyra Jade finished the match with 17 points to lead Inter Clube's quartet that finished in double-digit numbers. Marianne Johnson scored 12 for Customs with skipper Nkem Akaraiwe adding 11.

"The first target was to win the match and advance but we also wanted to use the match to motivate all the players to have the confidence for the upcoming tougher matches. We got an early comfortable lead and it was easier to field all the players as we need everyone ready for the Semis," coach Pires said after the game.

Inter de Luanda improved to 4-1 with two more matches to play in the AWBL

The tactician, however, admits that she is worried about her bench's contribution as well as the team's defense.

"We have to work on our defense. What we did today will not be enough for tomorrow. We play a tougher team, one that can shoot the ball so we have to do better," she explained.

Her sentiments were echoed by former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ingvild Mucauro saying: " It will be a difficult match as Sporting are playing very well and are very efficient. We will have to defend well as that's the only way to stop them then plan our offense from that."

FIBA