Defending champion of the FIBA Africa Champions Club for men, Primeiro d’Agosto looked unstoppable in the 2009 edition of the competition holding in Kigali, Rwanda with an emphatic 119-77 points win over ASPAC basketball club of Benin Republic.
ASPAC who gave a splinter of hope when it rallied to a 26-21 points first quarter but soon realised that the win was the tonic the defending champion needed to rise up to the occasion as it took the game beyond the reach of Cotonou-based Benin side winning the remaining three quarters by 35-15, 35-18 and 28-18 for a cumulative score-line of 119-77 points.
Though ASPAC combo guard, Mohammed Bukar scored a championship high of 31 points that does not stop his side from tasting defeat in the hands of the Agosot side led by reigning Africa Most Valuable Player, Joaqium Gomes who led his side with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
Agosto Mario Correia contributed 16 points and 3 rebouns while the quartet of Filipe Abraao, Vladmir Jeronimo, Carlos Almeida and Rodreigo Mascarenhas added 12; 12; 11 and 10 points each.
Primeiro will be observing game Day-3 slated for Tuesday as off day while ASPAC will take on Cooperative Bank of Kenya as it continue its search for a first win.
ASPAC Head Coach, Peter Ahmedu gave kudos to his players for putting a spirited effort against the defending champion.
He, however, promised that his side would do everything within its power to pick it next game against Cooperative Bank on Tuesday.