Zamalek swept Petro Luanda 85-72 to qualify for the Africa Basketball League play-offs on Friday 15 April. The Egyptian club relied on the duo Edgar Sosa (19 pts) and Anas Mahmoud (16 pts, 11 rbds) to take control of the Nile Conference. Petro Luanda plays its qualification this Saturday 16 against Forces Armées et Police du Cameroun. Led by Billy Preston (23 pts, 14 rbds), Cape Town Tigers offers Cobra Sport (83-79) and is close to the play-offs.
Sosa and Mahmoud qualify Zamalek
Leader before the 4th day, Petro Luanda fell again against the Egyptian club, its tormentor in the semi-finals (89-71) in the 1st edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). And it was the duo of Edgar Sosa (19 pts) and Anas Mahmoud (16 pts, 11 rbds) that allowed Zamalek to clinch their ticket to the play-offs, scheduled for 21-28 May in Rwanda.
American-Dominican point guard Edgar Sosa confirmed his good start to the tournament. He is averaging 16-19 points per game with 6 assists. This Friday, he scored 19 pts in 28 minutes of play. He is well helped by Egyptian winger Anas Mahmoud (16 pts, 11 rbds).
Mahmoud is also averaging 12-16 pts and 11.5 rbds per game. This duo literally dominated Petro Luanda despite Chlide Dundão's 16 pts.
In addition to their qualification, Zamalek takes the 1st place in the Nile Conference. Petro Luanda (2nd, 5 pts) can qualify this Saturday if they win against the Armed Forces and Police. The Cameroonian club remains on a victory and as many defeats.
Billy, the Cavalier master the Cobra
Fourth-placed Cape Town Tigers took a step towards the play-offs with an 83-79 win over Cobra Sport. The South Africans were led by the duo of Billy Preston (23 pts, 14 rbds) and Evans Ganapamo (19 pts).
Former Cleveland player, Billy Preston (24 years old, 2m08) achieved his first double-double in the tournament. He scored 26 points in Cape Town's 77-101 loss to Zamalek. Born in 1997 in Santa Ana (California), Preston was awarded a two-way contract in July 2018. He will play in the G-League with Canton Charge. He never played a game with the Cavaliers, who will fire him in December 2018. He will be moving to several clubs: Erie BayHawks (2018-2019), Texas Legends (2019) and Illawarra Hawks (2019).
Cape Town Tigers (6 pts -46) are in 3rd place in the Nile Conference. They can qualify this Saturday if Armed Forces and Police lose to Petro Luanda.
On its part, Cobra (5 pts -31) will play its qualification on Monday 18 April against the Armed Forces and Police. In a press conference, the coach of the South Sudanese team, Manyang Berberi, remains optimistic. We will play our chances in this last game," he said. Qualification is possible. It's a final and we're going to put everything on our side.
