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By Joe Apu
Two-time African champions First Bank survived one of the tightest contests of the 2025 Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), edging Cameroon’s FAP 58–52 in a game that swung back and forth with 13 lead changes.
Coach Juliana Negedu’s pre-game message — “Whoever wants it more gets it” — proved decisive, as shooting guard Wandoo Marvis Hembam came off the bench to lead the Nigerian side with a standout performance. Playing just under 31 minutes, the 19-year-old helped drag First Bank over the line in a tense final stretch.
With the score tied at 52 and just over two minutes remaining, Theresa Anya buried a three-pointer, assisted by Hembam, to reclaim the lead. Moments later, after a timeout, Hembam struck again. Receiving a pass from Abigail Isaac, she drained her third three-pointer of the day to push First Bank ahead 57–52, effectively sealing the victory as FAP failed to respond.
Hembam, appearing in her second WBLA season after debuting with MFM at 18, finished as the game’s top scorer with 12 points — the only First Bank player in double digits. She shot 4-of-10 from the field, including three from beyond the arc, and added five assists and two rebounds.
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On the defensive end, Tobiloba Ogedengbe anchored First Bank with 10 rebounds and nine points, while Marvellous Chizi Abel contributed eight boards in a physical contest that saw the Nigerians outrebounded 54–46.
The win lifts First Bank — returning to continental competition after a six-year absence — to third in Group B, keeping their knockout hopes alive.
“We did not have the best of starts but it ended well and we are grateful,” Hembam told FIBA.Basketball after the game. “We struggled on defense initially but made adjustments, relying on our experience from other continental competitions and the Nigerian passion.
“We embodied the spirit of an Elephant as our name suggests. We have a strong and bold spirit and don’t settle for less. We kept fighting and pushed for this win. It boosts our confidence, and if the chance comes, we will fight with passion to go further in the competition.”
The First Bank girls battled against familiar foes in the FAP squad coming up against former Nigeria Customs playmaker Nkem Akaraiwe who scored 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead her team. Another Nigerian on the FAP team Idubamo Beggi scored 8 points, five rebounds and two assists.
