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APR Crushes Petro de Luanda in BAL 2025: Diarra Dominates, Shooting Woes Sink Angolans | MechiTV

APR Crushes Petro de Luanda in BAL 2025: Diarra Dominates, Shooting Woes Sink Angolans

Published on June 7, 2025 In Basketball

APR smothers Petro de Luanda 75-57 in BAL action—Aliou Diarra's 19 & 14 leads the way as Petro's offense collapses. Full recap & analysis.

APR Crushes Petro de Luanda in BAL 2025: Diarra Dominates, Shooting Woes Sink Angolans

BAL 2025: APR Dominates Petro de Luanda in One-Sided Affair

Final Score: APR 75 - 57 Petro de Luanda

In a game that quickly turned into a defensive masterclass by APR, Petro de Luanda struggled to find any rhythm, falling 75-57 in a Basketball Africa League (BAL) clash at SunBet Arena.

Key Takeaways:

✔ APR’s Defense Was Relentless – Held Petro to 33% shooting (23/68 FG).
✔ Aliou Diarra Dominated – 19 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL (MVP performance).
✔ Petro’s Shooting Woes – 6/29 from three (20%) – ice cold.
✔ Biggest Lead? 25 Points – APR flexed their depth early and never looked back.

Game Flow: How APR Took Control

First Half: APR’s Defense Sets the Tone

  • Petro started strong (19-11 in Q1) – but it didn’t last.

  • APR flipped the script in Q2 (26-14) – suffocating Petro’s offense.

  • Halftime: APR 37 - Petro 33 – the momentum had already shifted.

Second Half: The Collapse

  • Q3 (24-13 APR) – Petro’s offense disappeared.

  • Final Q (14-11 APR) – garbage time, but the damage was done.

Turning Point? APR’s 14-0 run in the third quarter that buried Petro for good.

Star Performers

APR’s Standouts:

✔ Aliou Diarra (C) – 19 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL (unstoppable in the paint).
✔Anunwa Omot (SF) – 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST (efficient scoring).
✔ Team Defense – 11 steals, 3 blocks (forced Petro into 19 turnovers).

Petro’s Bright Spots (Few & Far Between):

✔ Patrick Gardner (F) – 13 PTS, 11 REB (one of the few who showed up).
✔ Samkelo Cele (SG) – 10 PTS (but shot 4/11).

What Went Wrong for Petro?

✔  Atrocious Shooting – 6/29 from three (20%), 7% FG from PF Aboubacar Gakou (1/14!).
✔ Turnovers (19) – APR capitalized with 13 points off mistakes.
✔  No Bench Spark – Only 33 bench points, mostly in garbage time.

Coach Sergio Valdeolmillos Moreno has work to do. He actually was kicked out of the game with his assistance forced to take over.

What’s Next?

  • APR looks like a serious BAL contender after this statement win.

  • Petro must regroup fast—another performance like this could sink their BAL hopes.

Your Thoughts?

  • Was this just a bad night for Petro, or is APR really that good?

  • Who’s your BAL 2025 favorite now?

  • Should Petro make lineup changes?