Cape Town Tigers emerged big winners of one of the four games played on day one of the Basketball Africa League Elite 16 East Division in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday.

Eight teams were divided into two groups of four teams each and top two from each group will advance to the semifinals with just three BAL tickets up for grabs.

The host are in Group A alongside Burundi’s Urunani, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) of Kenya and the NBA Academy.

Group B comprises Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique), Matero Magic (Zambia), City Oilers (Uganda), and Club Omnisports Police Nationale (COSPN) from Madagascar.

The Tigers wrapped up the evening with a 85-60 victory over Group A opponents, the NBA Academy Africa.

Five Tigers players finished the game with double figures, with Nigeria D’Tigers’ guard Micheal Gbinije leading the way with 22 points. Central African Republic international player, Evans Ganapamo finished with 16 points, while Pieter Prinsloo dropped 14 points.

Dhieu Deng and Raphieal Putney both scored 11 points each for Cape Town Tigers.

In the first game of the day, City Oilers defeated COSPN 71-59. Germain Roebuck Jr’s 18 points and Falando Jones’ 15 points gave the Ugandan club a good start in Group B.

In the other games played on Tuesday, forward Landry Ndikumana’s 18 points and 14 rebounds led Urunani past Kenya Ports Authority 72-43 in Group A’s opening game.

Ivory Coast centre Adjehi Baru also put in a dominant performance for Urunani. Baru contributed a double-double 12 points and 12 rebounds in the Burundi’s club 29-point victory over KPA.

Meanwhile, Mozambican champions Ferroviario Da Beira recorded a scrappy win over Matero Magic in the last game of Group B.

Will Perry scored a game high 23 points while Michael Murray hit a double-double (17 points and 12 rebounds) in the 63-57 victory over the Zambian side.

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