CAPE TOWN TIGERS FIRST WIN AT BAL SEASON 4
Written by Neo Molefi on March 18, 2024
Written by: Bafokeng Mothebe
The Cape Town Tigers have managed to secure their first win in the inaugural Kalahari Conference, of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Tigers beat Petro de Luanda with a final score of 84-78, at a sold out SunBet Arena in Pretoria, on Saturday night. The South African based team previously lost their first two games in their conference to FUS Rabat, and Petro De Luanda.
The Tigers’ Billy Preston led his teams scoring with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Cartier Diarra, Samkelo Cele, and Dylan Whitbread’s double point contribution, with 14 points 17 points, and 12 points respectively, added to the team’s winning effort over Petro de Luanda. Petro De Luanda’s scoring was led by Yannick Moreira with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was followed by Childe Dundao, who dropped 10 points and 3 steals.
The Angolan based club led the game in the first 5 minutes of the first quarter, before they relinquished the lead through the end of the first, second and third quarters, by which then the South African side led the game 64-60. The fourth quarter was eventful with multiple lead changes between the teams, before the Cape Town Tigers sealed the game with an 84-78 score line, at the final buzzer.
After the game, Tigers coach, Flosh Ngwenya, attributed their winning result to the fans of his team. “This was for our fans, more than just us.”
Tigers guard Dylan Whitbread, also shared the same sentiments. “Having the fans here is an incredible experience. I try to tell the guys and remind everyone that comes to watch me play, that it is an absolute pleasure and not something that I take for granted, being able to have them in the arena with us. So, we come out with a lot of heart, and we try and play for the fans. Its all about them”, said Whitbread.
Sunday 17 March 2024, will see the final game of the inaugural Kalahari Conference, when the Cape Town Tigers will face FUS Rabat. In their last encounter on the 12th of March, FUS Rabat thumped the Tigers by 84-54, and the Tigers will be looking to write a different story, if they want to have a good chance at making the BAL Playoffs.
The final day of the Kalahari Conference will yet again, see a sold out SunBet Arena, with plenty of entertainment performances with Venom & Shishiliza, and Ch’cco at half time, and then Cassper Nyovest closing out the weekend, among others, as the conferences activities come to a head.
