Sunday

Petro de Luanda 88-84 Abidjan Basket Club

Title favorites Petro de Luanda on Sunday overcame stubborn Abidjan Basket Club to claim the last spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

It was not until the final ten seconds that the Angolan league and Nile Conference champions’ 88-84 win was decided in an entertaining tie at BK Arena to end coach Liz Mills and her ABC men’s semifinal dream after a tough performance late in the final quarter.

"This one hurts, it really hurts,” Mills said in a postgame interview.

"I think this will probably be the match of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it came during the quarter finals,” she added, commending her side’s fighting character.

Paced by Carlos Morais and Childe Dundao, Petro knocked debutants Abidjan Basket Club out, despite throwing back to back points with the Abidjan-based boys.

The Angolan side remains the only unbeaten team in the league so far this season.

"We are here to win, credit to Petro for putting up a strong fight, but the team never at any point thought it was losing the game,” said Petro head coach Jose Neto.

Going forward, Neto pointed out, "We have two more days to prepare for the semis, and that is the only thing that matters now.”

Team captain Carlos Morais led the way with team-high 18 points as Childe Dundao added 15 points.

The Angolan giants became the fourth and final team to qualify for the BAL semifinals, joining Al Ahly, Stade Malien and AS Douanes in the last four.

Going forward AS Douanes will take on Petro de Luanda while Al Ahly will face Sahara Conference champions Stade Malien in the semis.