May 22, 2023

FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2023 BAL QUARTER-FINALS

What else could one ask for when a do-or-die Quarter-Finals series offers spectacular plays, a breath-taking close game, emotion, a sell-out crowd, and the continuing revelation of new talents?

That’s the main picture from the first four games of the 2023 BAL Finals taking place in Kigali until Sunday, May 28th.

One thing is for certain in the current BAL season: There will be a third champion in the third anniversary of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Africa’s elite clubs basketball tournament.

Since the end of the Conference games in early May, two teams, namely Al Ahly, Petro de Luanda have been projected as favourites to fight for the 2023 BAL title.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 21: An overall view of the Kigali Arena during the game between the Forces Armeés et Police Basketball and the Rwanda Energy Group on May 21, 2022 at the Kigali 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images)

And, with four games left in the season, there hasn’t been any surprises as the two title contenders made their way to the Semi-Finals in totally different circumstances. Petro were forced to step up to stay in contention, while Al Ahly beat hosts REG 94-77 in front of a sell-out crowd.

In this article, the bal.nba.com brings you five takeaways from the 2023 BAL Quarter-Finals.

Most evenly-matched game of the season so far?
Some members of the media suggested – during the post-game press conference - that Petro de Luanda’s 88-84 win over Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) was probably the best game of the BAL season.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 21: Carlos Morais #6 of the Petro de Luanda shoots the ball during the game against the ABC Fighters on May 21, 2023 at the BK 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 Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images)

A quick look into the BAL season stats show that this breath-taking clash between two former African champions has been the most evenly-matched game of the season so far.

Remember Petro’s buzzer-beater win (91-90) over Al Ahly in Cairo early this month? That was a spectacular game mainly due to its final scorer’s uncertainty until Gerson Lukeny Goncalves’ buzzer-beater sealed the deal.

The Petro v ABC registered twelve lead changes – as many as the matchup between Petro and Al Ahly -, but the Petro v ABC saw both teams tied 13 teams, seven more than the Petro v Al Ahly.

Making the most of the Elevate Program opportunity.
Out of the eight NBA Academy Africa players taking part in the Elevate program, Rueben Chynielu continues to make the most of the opportunity of taking part in the Elevate Program, putting up big numbers for Stade Malien.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 20: Rueben Chinyelu #24 of Stade Malien celebrates during the game against the Cape Town Tigers on May 20, 2023 at the BK 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)

The Nigerian power forward came up strong in the Quarter-Finals against Cape Town Tigers, contributing seven points, eleven rebounds and four blocks in 20:48 minutes on the floor.

And, the more playing he’s having in the BAL, the more consistent and confident he’s become.

Top-seeded teams after the Quarter-Finals.
If teams’ Field-Goals and Efficiency rating are anything to go by, then Al Ahly, Petro de Luanda and AS Douanes would be the top-3 seeded teams.

Al Ahly are headed to the Semi-Finals with the highest Field-Goal (51.6%). Petro come second (48.5%) and AS Douanes appear in third with 44.9%.

But, when it comes to over players’ efficiency rating, Petro and AS Douanes top the list with 106 apiece while Al Ahly come third with 104.

Samba Fall.
From scoring 19 points during his first five Sahara Conference games to scoring 23 in a must-win game against Ferroviario da Beira, Samba Fall became AS Douanes’ latest hero.

The 23-year guard not only made 9 of his 13 shots – including 4 for 5 from long range – to finish with a game-high of 23 points, but he also recorded the highest Efficiency rating (+31) of the Quarter-Finals.

Aliou Diarra, Mr double-double.
Stade Malien power forward/center Aliou Diarra has been the most impactful player of the season so far.

After leading Stade Malien to the surprising title of the Sahara Conference, where he came up with five straight double-doubles, Diarra delivered another jaw-dropping performance in the Quarter-Finals as they beat Cape Town Tigers 78-69.

Diarra finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, logging his sixth straight double-double.

Other players to have registered double-doubles in the Quarter-Finals included Michael Gbinije (10 pts/13rbs), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (13 pts/11 rbs) and Pietr Prinsloo (19 pts/10 rbs).