Libolo beat Petro, move closer to Final Round of FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016
LUANDA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016) - Recreativo do Libolo moved a step closer to reach the annual FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC) 2016 Final Round after beating Petro de Luanda 83-77 in the opening of
LUANDA (FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016) - Recreativo do Libolo moved a step closer to reach the annual FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC) 2016 Final Round after beating Petro de Luanda 83-77 in the opening of the ACC Zone 6 qualifier on Friday in the capital Luanda.
In a rematch of last year's ACC Final, Libolo came up stronger and led by as many as 15 points.
Even though the reigning ACC champion Petro de Luanda out-rebounded Libolo 34-21, they were far too sloppy offensively turning the ball over 30 times.
American Andre Harris led the way with a game-best 22 points, Angolan international Olimpio Cipriano added 18, while Reggie Moore, Domingos Bonifacio and Jerson Goncalves combined for 49 Petro de Luanda points.
Only three Angola teams - Libolo, Petro de Luanda and Primeiro D'Agosto - are taking part in the ACC Zone 6 qualifier following the withdrawal of Ferroviario de Maputo and Green Buffalos of Zambia.
The Final Round of this year’s 12-team ACC will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from 7-16 December.
And the teams that finish top of the Luanda qualifier will then join the 12-team competition.
If Libolo - the ACC 2014 champions - can beat African powerhouse Primeiro D'Agosto on Saturday, they will confirm their sixth straight ACC appearance.
In the meantime, Petro de Luanda will return to action on Sunday, facing D'Agosto and Emmanuel Quezada, a man who lifted Petro de Luanda to the ACC title last year.
FIBA