Angola’s Petro de Luanda are on pace to defend their title after reaching the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Final on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.
Petro stunned undefeated Al Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt 96-74 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, to seal a spot in the final – their third in five BAL seasons.
UPSET ALERT!
Petro de Luandastuns the undefeated Al Ittihad
and punches their ticket to the BAL Final!
A true champion’s performance.#BAL5 pic.twitter.com/FsoZHS1gtB— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) June 11, 2025
Al Ittihad came into Wednesday’s semi-final with an 8-0 record, having cruised through the Kalahari Conference unbeaten as well as claimed wins against Al Ahli Tripoli and FUS de Rabat in the seeding game and quarter-final, respecively, while Petro came into the game with a 4-4 record.
Petro was dominant and aggressive throughout the contest, winning every single quarter of the tie on their way to victory. Their substitutes were brilliant, as they edged the Egyptians 60-35 on bench points.
Kendrick Ray led all scorers with 21 points off the bench for Petro, shooting 7-for-14 from the field in about 25 minutes of action. Aboubacar Gakou and Samkelo Cele also added a combined 27 points off the bench, while forward Patrick Gardener dropped 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
“Our game against APR [which we lost 75-57] motivated us to be ready for the quarterfinals,” Gardner said. “The biggest word that we use as a team is ‘sacrifice,’ doing whatever is needed to win.”
“Everyone on this team has been doing their job well. It’s great to come out with two wins.”
Majok Deng, meanwhile, led Al Ittihad with 17 points; Lual Lual Acuil finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and seven assists; and Angok Deng had 11 points.
Petro will now face Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya in the BAL Final on Saturday, 14 June, while Al Ittihad Alexandria will face Rwanda’s APR in the third-place game.
