In a thrilling showdown at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, Petro de Luanda secured the coveted 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title by defeating Al Ahly Ly with a resounding score of 107-94.
This victory marks Petro de Luanda’s first continental triumph since their 2015 FIBA Africa Champions Cup win in their home city of Luanda.
The Angolan champions faced an uphill battle as they trailed 52-40 at halftime. However, a remarkable turnaround in the third quarter saw them shatter Al Ahly Ly’s three-game winning streak in the postseason.
Led by Nicholas Faust with 24 points, Markeith Cummings with 20, and Cleusio Castro contributing a significant 10 points off the bench, Petro de Luanda showcased their resilience and determination.
Despite a commendable effort from Jo-Lual Acuil Jr., who finished with 15 points and earned the title of 2024 BAL MVP, it wasn’t enough to propel the Libyan champions to victory.
Acuil Jr. now joins the ranks of South Sudanese players to have received this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of Nuni Omot in 2023.
Petro de Luanda’s unyielding spirit was evident as they executed a remarkable 11-0 run in the third quarter, seizing a commanding double-digit lead. Their bench players, outscoring Al Ahly Ly’s bench 51-27, provided invaluable support throughout the game.
A crucial factor in Petro de Luanda’s triumph was their dominance on the boards, outrebounding their opponents 48-32.
Lukeny Goncalves, who contributed 16 points, emphasized the pivotal role of Cleusio Castro in neutralizing Al Ahly Ly’s key players.
Reflecting on their journey, Goncalves highlighted Petro de Luanda’s determination to learn from past experiences, citing their defeat to AS Douanes in the 2023 BAL Semifinals as a valuable lesson.
He emphasized the team’s collective commitment to success and credited their victory to increased aggression and solidarity on the court.
With a final BAL campaign record of 5-3, Petro de Luanda emerged victorious, while Al Ahly concluded with a commendable 6-4 record.
The win not only crowns Petro de Luanda as the 2024 BAL champions but also grants them the opportunity to represent Africa at the upcoming FIBA InterContinental Cup in Singapore next September.
