Luanda - 1º de Agosto beat Sporting de Luanda 80-74 in the first round of the ‘final four’ of the Luanda Provincial Senior Men's Basketball Championship played Thursday at Luanda’s Cidadela pavilion.
After losing in the first three quarters, the team led by Lazare Adingono changed the picture and went in search of better results in the final quarter, even in the face of pressure from their opponents.
Sporting de Luanda that returned to basketball competition almost two decades later, won 16-13, 41-35 and 55-52, but in the final quarter the team led by José Carlos Guimarães succumbed to the hosts’ better efficiency.
Before sporting de Luanda’s initial dominance, 1º de Agosto even started winning in the first 15 minutes (11-6), but were overtaken with three minutes remaining in the first quarter (11-14).
During this period, the green and white team cancelled out the opposing attack and extended their lead to 16-13.
In the second quarter, 1º de Agosto improved their scoring output, but lost too many balls, which helped their opponents maintain the lead at half-time (41-31).
For their second game on Friday, 1° de Agosto clashes with Vila Clotilde, while Petro de Luanda receives Sporting de Luanda.
On Thursday, Petro de Luanda lost 83-89 against Vila Clotilde, in a surprising result of the round.JAD/WR/DAN/AMP
