8-time continental champions Primeiro de Agosto will face defending champions Association Sportive de Sale in the final of the FIBA Africa Basketball League scheduled for Sunday at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, Angola.
Agosto saw off Smouha of Egypt 86-76 in front of their rowdy home crowd in the second semi final clash on Friday.
Andre Harris led the way with 24 points from the bench, seven rebounds and 4/4 from the deep. Eduardo Mingas and Manny Quezada combined for 43 points. Mingas had 23 points and 12 rebound double-double while Quezada had 20 points, four rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Quezada also made 100% of his free throws which was a total of 13 awarded to Primeiro de Agosto in the game.
Smouha started brightly 25-20 in the first quarter but found themselves trailing by 20 points at the end of the third quarter.
James Justice led the Egyptians with a late surge as they outscored Agosto 22-12 in the last quarter. The Angolans held on to advance to their first continental final since 2013 when they last won it.
Justice scored 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, Adamu Saaka had 20 points while D’Tigers center Augustine Okosun added 11 points for Smouha.
Earlier, Association Sportive de Sale advanced to the final after beating JS Kairouan 81-73 for the second time in the competition.
Sale had beaten them 77-70 in their second Group A game on March 2nd on home court.
Three players finished on double figures for Sale, Brandon Wood got off the bench to score 27 points, six rebounds and four 3-pointers, Sofiane Kourodu had 20 points and 100% from the free throw line and behind the arc.
Mohamed Choua was crucial from the boards with 10 rebounds made in the game and shot seven points.
For JSK, Lawrence Gilbert Jr had 24 points, Radhouane Slimane scored 21 points and eight rebounds, Jawhar Jawadi added 13 points and seven rebounds while Maodo Nguirane contributed 14 rebounds and seven points.
AS Sale and Primeiro de Agosto who faceoff in Sunday’s final are yet to taste defeat in the FIBA Africa Basketball League. Third place game will be between two debutants, JS Kairouan and Smouha.
