The hope of ASPAC basketball club of Cotonou, Benin Republic of making it to the final round of the 2009 FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men slated for Kigali, Rwanda became brighter Thursday night when it posted an emphatic 87-53 points victory over Liberia NPA Pythons at the IRSP gymnase in Ouidah.
The Coach Peter Ahmedu tutored side had to fall back on good team play to subdue the Liberian whose hope of making the Kigali trip was finally dashed after losing its third game in the FIBA Africa Zone-III elimination series.
ASPAC is now tied on points with rival Ellan basketball club of Port Novo, who beat the Cotonou-based ASPAC to the Benin league title with both sides battling for the zone's second spot behind Kano Pillars basketball club of Nigeria.
Pillars who continue its excellent run in the qualifying series with a 94-45 points win over Model Basket Club of Togo also on Thursday looked set to further compound the woes of the NPA Pythons whose venom seems to have failed it as the Liberian side have been unable to sting any of its zone-III opponent since the qualifying round started last weekend in Ouidah, Benin Republic.
The star-studded Pillars side coached by Coac Sani Ahmed has thus qualified for its second straight final round of the continent biggest men club competition.
Day-4 Results:
ASPAC (BEN) 87-53 NPA Pythons (LIB)
Model Club (TOG) 45-94 Kano Pillars (NGR)
Ellan (BEN) Bye
Day-5 Games (Friday December 4, 2009)
NPA Pythons (LIB) Vs Kano Pillars (NGR) - 15.30Hour
ASPAC (BEN) Vs Ellan (BEN) – 17.30Hour
Model Club (TOG) Bye
FIBA Africa