Rivers Hoopers guard Kelvin Amayo is brimming with confidence as the KingsMen prepare to face US Monastir in a crucial seeding game on June 7 in Pretoria. The KingsMen, currently ranked fourth, will go head-to-head with the third-seeded US Monastir.
Amayo was quick to extend his congratulations to US Monastir for securing their place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 5 Playoffs as the Sahara Conference winners. He remarked, “I just want to say congratulations to US Monastir. I watched them in the Sahara Conference, and they played exceptionally well. They are definitely not the same team this year as they were last year.”
The 6-foot-4 guard, who led the Kalahari Conference in blocks, emphasised that the team’s defensive performance will be crucial in limiting the Sahara Conference champions. “We are going to showcase a high level of intensity on the defensive end,” Amayo stated.
Amayo boasts a positive record against US Monastir, having been instrumental in Rivers Hoopers’ 92-88 victory in the 2024 BAL quarter-finals, where he contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and ten assists.
The two teams have developed a strong rivalry in the BAL, having faced each other four times previously, with each side winning two encounters. Most recently, the KingsMen eliminated US Monastir in a thrilling quarter-final match at BAL Season 4, which concluded with a score of 92-88 in favour of the Hoopers.
Set to meet on Saturday, June 7, at 6pm local time (6pm Nigerian time), Amayo is optimistic about the upcoming clash. “Everyone is going to have fun, and I think Saturday is a great game for everyone to come and watch,” he added.
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