Africa-Press – Angola. After losing this Wednesday, by 86-92, in the semi-final against As Douanes from Senegal, Petro de Luanda is once again unable to win the African Basketball League (BAL – acronym in English).
As on the previous two occasions, the match was also within reach, but the Angolan champion was unable to reach the final and peek at the unprecedented title, after second place in 2022 and third a year earlier.
The first quarter of the match, played at the Kigali Arena pavilion, was a result of patient mutual study, resulting in two draws at 8-8 and 13-13, with a minus sign for Petro, who ended up losing by 19-20.
Surprisingly, the Senegalese team dominated the game thanks to Jean Jacques Boissy, who was decisive in the outside action.
The “tricolor” recovery came through Gerson Gonçalves and Damian Hollis, passing Petro for the first time ahead at 39-38, but, even so, succumbed at halftime, by 45-49.
Losses of balls and the low level of confidence of the national champion allowed As Douanes of Senegal to ascend, which at the end of the third quarter was winning by 69-63.
In the final part of the match and with the score indicating 79-84 in favor of the opponent, a triple by Childe Dundão revived hope for the Angolans in this third version of the African competition in the form of a League and organized by FIBA Africa and FIBA World.
However, not even the last points scored by Damian Hollis and the irreverent Childe Dundão catapulted Petro to the desired final and the subsequent fight for the unprecedented trophy.
Base Jean Jacques Boissy, from As Douanes, was the best scorer, with 28 points, followed by his colleague Marcus Crawford, with 26.
The American Damian Hollis was the best scorer for Petro, with 19 points.
Referees: Marcy Williams (USA), Jean Ruhamiriza (Rwanda) and Mbaye Seye Senegal).
The teams scored as follows
Petro de Luanda: Souleyman Diabate (07), Gerson Domingos (02), Anadji Chime (00), Childe Dundão (08), Pedro Bastos (00), Carlos Morais (06), Jone Pedro (12), Gerson Gonçalves (17) ), Ater Majok (09), Aboubakar Gakou (06), Seifeldin Hendawy (00), Glofate Buiamba (00) and Damian Hollis (19).
Coach: José Neto
Alkaly Ndour (07), Marcus Crawford (27), Samba Fall (02), Khaman Maluach (07), Jean Jacques Boissy (28), Mamadou Diop (00), Madiara Dieng (00), Mathew Amaning (14), Bara Ndiaye (00), Mouhamadou Diagne (01), Adama Diakite (04), Ifeanyichukwu Ochereboia (03) and Papa Diop (00).
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