Inter Clube complete revenge mission against REG to bag AWBL bronze
When it mattered the most, Inter Clube rose to the occasion for an 83-68 victory that won them the bronze medal, returning to the continental podium for the first time since winning silver in 2019.
ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - When the two sides met in Group B on the second day of action, the continental club championship debutants REG stunned five-time African Cup winners 96-89, subjecting them to their first defeat of the AWBL.
However, when it mattered the most, the Elisa Pires-coached Angolans rose to the occasion for an 83-68 victory that won them the bronze medal, returning to the continental podium for the first time since winning silver in 2019 (in the Champions Cup held in Cairo).
Cristina Matiquite, Nadir Manuel and Italee Lucas combined 60 points, with Matiquite giving 22 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists, while the duo shared the rest equally for the win. Skipper Manuel completed her double-double with 14 rebounds and added 6 assists.
"We knew we could have done better in the group stage so we came here both for the bronze and the revenge. We wanted more but we are happy with third place," coach Pires offered.
Destiney Promise Philoxy got action underway with a driving layup but Matiquite answered immediately with a jump shot as Inter went on an 8-point run with Italee Lucas and Marioneth Silva adding treys for 8-2.
Coach Pires' charges pushed the advantage to 9 at 16-7, forcing REG into a timeout to restrategise, but they still trailed 20-9 with four to play. Tiffany Mitchell went on a 10-point run with Betty Kalanga adding a basket in the remaining time for the quarter to end 27-21.
Philoxy rose above her marker for a three that made it a five-point game at 29-24 with Nia Clouden's jumper maintaining the difference at 31-26, but REG got caught napping allowing another Inter Clube run for 40-28 after four minutes in the second quarter.
Inter Clube pushed REG's best scorers Philoxy, Mitchell and Kalanga out of their comfort zones to go 27-17 up in the second quarter for a 54-38 lead at halftime, leaving the Rwandese side with 16-point deficit.
Esperance Mukaneza's charges had Philoxy to thank again as her two treys and Kalanga's jump shot saved their blushes in the opening five minutes of the third, Inter Clube scoring 10 for an 18-point lead that was cut to 15 at the end of the period as REG kept them on just five from Ingvild Mucauro, Lucas and a Matiquite free-throw.
The final quarter was equally contested for a 14-all score as Inter Clube went on to win the bronze.
"The level of competition is higher in the new competition and that calls for more investments into our club if we want be better. We are happy to see new players who are bringing a new type of basketball that Africa doesn't have so we have emphasise on working on our fame to be awake to compete at the same level," Pires added.
FIBA