Game Report: In a stunning display of skill and determination, US Monastir secures a thrilling victory over Petro de Luanda (70-67) in the BAL Playoffs. The game's climax came in a heart-stopping moment as Firas Lahyani sank a jaw-dropping 3-point walk-off buzzer beater, sealing Monastir's win in the nail-biting finish.
Last Updated on
May 25, 2024
Fanya Nkengasong
Staff Writer
Day two of the BAL playoffs offers a lineup of games, and many hope it will be well worth the trip. The first game of the day was exactly that!
Despite the BAL Playoff absence of local heroes APR, the clash between Petro de Luanda and US Monastir took centre stage earlier in the afternoon, drawing significant attention from the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and other notable figures. The showdown featured two teams that battled their way through their respective regular season conferences to qualify for this momentous occasion.
Petro, led by Carlos Morais and his teammates, was anticipated to be the favourites in the Kalahari Conference. Despite trailing Rabat's FUS in the qualification rounds, Petro's journey was marred by frustration, culminating in Coach Neto's departure after a record of two defeats and two wins.
On the other hand, Monastir secured their qualification in Dakar, albeit starting poorly with three consecutive losses. However, they rallied back, winning their last three matches and earning a spot as the best third-placed team.
In a departure from their Dakar performance, Monastir showed promise early on, dominating the first quarter with a three-point lead (16-13). Petro regained momentum in the second half, propelled by Yannick Moreira's unstoppable presence in the paint. They added seven crucial points to their tally.
A basket just before halftime gave Petro a narrow three-point edge (38-35). Petro capitalised on the efficiency of its bench, which contributed 27 points to its halftime lead.
The third quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with the margin rarely exceeding five points. As the quarter ended, both teams remained neck and neck, with Petro holding a slim two-point lead (54-52). The pace intensified in the final quarter, with Petro extending their lead to six points (60-54). However, the game was far from over.
With just a minute remaining, the score was tied at 67-67, and the tension in the arena was palpable. In a moment of sheer brilliance, Firas Lahyani emerged as the hero for US Monastir. Sinking a walk-off 3-pointer at the buzzer, he secured a narrow 70-67 victory for the Tunisian club, leaving the audience in awe and the Petro de Luanda fans (in Rwanda, Angola and further aboard) in absolute disbelief.
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