First Bank survive thriller to keep WBLA dreams alive

First Bank kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the Women’s Basketball League Africa alive after edging Cameroon’s FAP in a tense, low-scoring contest in Cairo, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigerians, making their return to the continental stage after six years, battled to a 58-52 victory in a game that featured 13 lead changes and was only settled in the final two minutes.

Teenage guard Wandoo Hembam once again proved decisive for the Lagos club.

The 19-year-old came off the bench to lead all scorers with 12 points, adding five assists and two rebounds while shooting three times from deep. Her contribution ensured First Bank finished with a 1-2 record, keeping their qualification prospects alive, while FAP ended group play winless.

The first half set the tone for a fiercely contested match, with both sides struggling to find rhythm under heavy defensive pressure. FAP edged the opening quarter 14-13 before First Bank responded in the second to level the scores at 26-26 at half-time.

The tight pattern continued in the third quarter as the teams traded fouls, turnovers and missed chances. FAP produced a brief push late in the period to take a 40-38 lead into the final quarter.

Facing elimination, First Bank increased their urgency in the closing minutes. Theresa Anya tied the score at 52 with just over two minutes left before Hembam’s assist restored the Nigerians’ lead at 54-52 with 1:59 remaining.

Moments later, she received a pass from Abigail Isaac and converted a decisive three-pointer to extend the advantage to 57-52, effectively sealing the result as FAP failed to respond.

First Bank made better use of their opponents’ errors, scoring 20 points from turnovers compared with FAP’s 11, although the Cameroonians led in fast-break points and second-chance opportunities. Scoring in the paint remained close, but the Nigerians secured the statistic that mattered most.

Tobiloba Ogedengbe anchored First Bank’s defence with 10 rebounds and nine points, while veteran forward Nkem Akaraiwe led FAP with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Hembam, who featured in last season’s competition with MFM and was recently named among AfricaBasket’s top five point guards, admitted after the game that the team struggled early but said she was driven by her determination to help the club progress.

First Bank now await results elsewhere as they look to convert their narrow lifeline into a place in the next round of the WBLA.