Reigning BAL champions Petro de Luanda staged a second-half comeback to defeat US Monastir 78-68 in a pivotal Sahara Conference clash. The Angolan powerhouse now sits 2-2 and reclaims momentum in the race for BAL playoff contention
Last Updated on
May 2, 2025
In a clash packed with history and high stakes, reigning BAL champions Petro de Luanda delivered a powerful statement win over 2023 titleholders US Monastir. Rallying from a halftime deficit, Petro’s 78-68 victory was more than redemption — it was a reminder that the Angolan giants were still a force in the Sahara Conference.
In the world of sports, some games go beyond the scoreboard. They carry the weight of unfinished business, pride, and statements that need to be made to opponents and the team itself. Thursday night in Dakar delivered exactly that: Petro de Luanda overcame a sluggish start and a recent humbling loss to defeat US Monastir 78-68 in a high-stakes Sahara Conference battle. For Petro, this wasn't just a win. It was a message.
Coming into the game, the reigning BAL champions had never beaten Monastir during the BAL regular season. Just a few days earlier, they were outplayed, outpaced, and outfought by the Tunisian side, falling 87-73 in a performance that raised questions about the Angolan powerhouse's readiness to defend its title. But champions rarely stumble twice. Petro's response was emphatic — a gritty, calculated comeback showcasing mental resilience and tactical maturity.
The first half belonged to Monastir. After an evenly matched opening quarter that ended 16-16, the Tunisians — known as the "Blue Empire" — began to assert themselves. Veteran forward Radhouane Slimane brought his usual mix of composure and fire, helping Monastir edge ahead in the second quarter with a 21-14 run. By halftime, they led 37-30 and looked poised to repeat their earlier domination.
Petro, however, had other ideas. The third quarter saw a shift in energy. Petro began tightening up defensively, closing passing lanes and forcing rushed shots. At the other end, their offense started to click — not in bursts, but with balance.
Rigoberto Mendoza, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, found his rhythm. Patrick Gardner battled in the paint and stretched the defense with his outside shot. As the momentum swung, Petro closed the gap and tied the game at 50 apiece heading into the fourth.
That's when they hit another gear.
The final ten minutes were all Petro. The defending champions outscored Monastir 28-18 in the fourth quarter, not just with talent but with focus. Where Monastir began to rush, Petro showed patience. Where Monastir's shots rimmed out, Petro's found the bottom of the net. It was a clinical closing stretch from a team that knows how to finish.
While the box score shows Mendoza leading the way with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four three-pointers, this was far from a one-man show. Gardner added 19 points. Veteran guard Solo Diabaté contributed 14, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, while Yanick Moreira chipped in 11.
Petro's depth and cohesion shone through — starkly contrasting to their earlier outing, where they looked disconnected and reactive.
Gardner, reflecting on the shift in team energy, summed it up clearly:
“We had a little more fun today. We played way more together, we trusted each other, and everyone did their thing. Everyone used their superpower.”
His words were more than just postgame optimism. They reflected a team that had found its groove at the right time. With the win, Petro moves to 2-2 in the Sahara Conference, keeping their playoff hopes alive and injecting fresh belief into their campaign.
To their credit, US Monastir didn’t go down quietly. Patrick Hardy Jr. led them with 16 points, Slimane added 13, and Mehdi Sayeh chipped in with 11. The Blue Empire remained aggressive, drawing fouls and staying perfect from the free-throw line across four players. But where their execution was sharp in their previous win, they faltered when it mattered most in this rematch.
Whether it was fatigue, overconfidence, or simply running into a Petro team with a point to prove, Monastir couldn’t find the late-game answers. Their offense grew stagnant, and defensively, they struggled to contain the multidimensional threat Petro posed.
This game could prove pivotal in the balance of the Sahara Conference. Monastir had a chance to tighten their grip on the top spots with a win that would’ve pushed them to 3-1. Instead, they find themselves at 2-2, now sharing that record with the team they just failed to beat. With every game carrying playoff implications, momentum — and confidence — becomes everything.
And confidence is exactly what Petro de Luanda left the court with.
“It was very important for us to get back and to get even with the group,” Gardner said. “It was a collective effort and I’m super proud of what we achieved. We’ll try to finish first here. But we’re taking it one game at a time.”
His final remark, however, came with a hint of a warning.
“The way we played today, I don’t think there’s anything that could stop us.”
With one game left to play in the group stage, Petro de Luanda will look to ride this momentum forward. They’ve proven they can adjust, dig deep, and show up when it matters most. The defending champions have rediscovered their edge — and if Thursday night was any indication, the road to the BAL title still runs through Luanda.
[Photography Courtesy of The BAL]
