March 20, 2023

Bile’s heroics send ABC to playoffs

Chudier Bile came up with a heroic performance on Monday to help Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) qualify for the playoffs in May in Kigali.

The South Sudanese guard did everything right to prevent Kwara Falcons from winning their first game in the Sahara Conference.

ABC came up on top 79-76, and, are headed to the playoffs in their first BAL appearance.

With ABC leading scorer Abdoulaye Harouna struggling to score – he had a 2-for-16 shooting to finish with 9 points and Chris Obekpa fouling out later in the fourth quarter – Bile came off the bench with a rescue plan.

DAKAR, SENEGAL - MARCH 20: Chudier Bile #23 of the ABC Fighters celebrates with teammates against the Kwara Falcons on March 20, 2023 at the Dakar Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Nacer Talel/NBAE via Getty Images)

He scored 10 of his game-high 24 points in the third quarter, but it was in the last minute that Bile put on a show.

With just under two minutes to play Kwara Falcons led by seven (76-69) prompting the Falcons’ bench to celebrate what would have been another upset in the Sahara Conference.

But in a turn of events, Bile and ABC capitalized from Kwara’s unforgivable mistakes.

Missed free-throws, turnovers and offensive fouls in crunch time are lessons that the Falcons will certainly never forget again, especially after allowing ABC a 10-0 run in the last minute.

While Kwara Falcons turned the ball over twice and missed free-throws in the last minute, Bile hit two straight three-pointers that sealed ABC’s 79-76 victory.

Bile led all players in scoring with 24 points, and Alex Robinson Jr., the other ABC to score in double figures, contributed 13 points.

“We never doubted we wouldn't win this game,” Bile said, adding: “I came out with an aggressive mindset. Tonight was my night, but tomorrow can be somebody else’s night. This shows the depth of this team.”

Anthony Wilson Jr. led Kwara with 15 points, Jeremiah Mordi added 14, Jawad Adekoya finished with 12 and Michael Oriakhi added 10 for the Falcons.

DAKAR, SENEGAL - MARCH 20: The Kwara Falcons bench celebrates against the ABC Fighters on March 20, 2023 at the Dakar Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Julien Bacot/NBAE via Getty Images)

Falcons coach Kadri Jibril said: “Guys gave their all. Maybe we lacked concentration. We are humans, mistakes happen. This is a young team, but next time we qualify it will be a different story. We’ll be stronger.”

“You would have seen another side of me, but I am happy for the experience we gained here,” he added.

Liz Mills watched the game from the side-lines for health issues, but she praised her players and assistant coach Eric Minotte for the victory.

“Credit to the team,” she said. “This game could have gone terribly wrong,” Mills admitted.

Kwara Falcons closed their BAL debut with a 0-5 mark while ABC improved to 3-1 before taking on Stade Malien on Tuesday, March 21 for their last game of the regular season.