The Cape Town Tigers secured their first victory in the fiercely contested Kalahari Conference of the Basketball Africa League. They triumphed over Petro de Luanda with a final score of 84-78, marking a significant milestone in their BAL campaign.
Last Updated on
March 16, 2024
Fanya Nkengasong
Staff Writer
As the Kalahari Conference nears its conclusion with the penultimate game day, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Cape Town Tigers, still seeking their first win of the season, face off against Petro de Luanda. Despite a rocky start with an opening-day loss to FUS Rabat, Petro de Luanda has rallied with consecutive victories, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
In the initial matchup, Petro claimed a 100-88 victory over Cape Town, with Young Neto of the NBA Academy sealing the win with free throws for their 100th point. Now, as the second leg approaches, anticipation mounts.
At the onset, Cape Town appeared to gain an early advantage with a 6-0 lead. However, it proved short-lived. Petro swiftly regained momentum, led by the formidable trio of Aboubacar Gakou, Childe Dundao, and Lukeny Gonçalves, narrowing the score to 11-17.
Cape Town managed to edge ahead in the first quarter, securing a narrow lead of 23-21, thanks to some second chances and a stronger bench. Their momentum stayed strong as they maintained pressure on their opponents, capitalising on turnovers and executing swift counterattacks. By halftime, the South African club had extended their lead to six points, leading 47-41.
This performance showcased a different calibre of play from Cape Town, characterised by aggression, determination, and intensity. They continued to dominate, leaving Petro struggling to keep up.
With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, they held a 61-53 lead, which tightened to 64-60 by the quarter's end. It wasn't until halfway through the final period that Petro seized their first lead of the match, edging ahead 72-69.
From that point onward, it became a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, each taking turns in the lead. As the score stood at 73-72 with four minutes left, tension peaked, and suspense-filled the air.
Who would emerge victorious? Could Cape Town achieve the feat, especially with just three minutes left? The South African club had a five-point lead, 77-72. In an atmosphere of indescribable jubilation, Cape Town secured their inaugural conference victory, prevailing 84-78. Their sights are set on securing a place among the top third-placed teams.
