In a thrilling showdown on Game Day Three of the Basketball Africa League season, Petro Athletico de Luanda showcased their resilience and determination as they secured a satisfying victory over FUS Rabat.
Last Updated on
March 16, 2024
Fanya Nkengasong
Staff Writer
Similar to the thrilling first round a week ago, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats, the top two teams in the Kalahari Conference faced off again in the highly anticipated encounter.
FUS Rabat remains unbeaten in three matches, while Petro de Luanda of Angola has won two and lost just one. The top spot in the group is still up for grabs. Going into the game, there were two potential outcomes. Either FUS Rabat wins and claims the conference championship or Petro de Luanda wins by a margin of more than ten points, making the Angolan club the champions.
The Angolan club has bounced back after their initial loss to FUS in the season opener. Gone are the days of relying solely on two scorers, as seen in their previous defeat to FUS. With this newfound depth in his team's scoring options, Coach Neto had much to consider.
The game started with a significant lead for Petro, established within the first five minutes of play (12-6). However, Rabat managed to claw their way back into contention, resulting in several lead changes and ties, ultimately leaving the teams deadlocked at 25-25.
As the game progressed into the second quarter, both teams fiercely contested every possession. Despite this, the Angolan club maintained a narrow advantage, never exceeding a three-point lead. Petro methodically continued to rack up points, while the Moroccans struggled to make shots from beyond the arc due to Petro's tight defence.
If the game had concluded at halftime, Petro would have been crowned conference champions due to its significant lead. Petro was now ahead by 12 points (46-34) and showed no signs of slowing down.
With a strong presence in the paint and stellar performances from Aboubacar Gakou and Childe Dundao, Petro dominated the third quarter with a score of 29-23, extending their lead to 75-57. Just as victory seemed imminent, and with first place within Petro's grasp, FUS rallied behind Jordan's impressive 18-point performance, narrowing the gap to three points at the final buzzer (89-86). While Petro secured a significant win, the Kalahari Conference title ultimately went to FUS Rabat.
