TRIPOLI, Libya – Liberia’s NPA Pythons saw their hopes of advancing from the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers suffer another setback after an 88-66 defeat by Ghana’s Spintex Knights in Group B action.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com
The Liberian champions fell to 0-2 in the competition after struggling to keep pace with a Spintex side that secured its second victory in as many games to move top of the group.
NPA trailed 18-12 after the opening quarter but remained within reach after matching the Knights 19-19 in the second period. Their challenge unraveled in the third quarter, however, as Spintex outscored them 22-13 before closing strongly with a 29-22 fourth-quarter advantage.
The loss followed Wednesday’s 92-69 defeat to Benin’s Energie BBC, leaving the Pythons under pressure heading into their final group-stage game against Guinea’s Nabaya Sofas on Friday.
In their opening game, the Pythons raced to an early eight-point lead before surrendering control as Energie capitalized on a series of mistakes.
Liberia’s representatives committed 22 turnovers, had seven shots blocked and allowed their opponents to shoot 46% from the field. Energie also recorded 31 assists.
Head coach Raphael Quaye said fitness issues played a significant role in the defeat. “I don’t think we showed the level of fitness that we expected,” Quaye said after the game. “That impacted the kind of defense that we played and also the way we carried on the offense.”
Quaye said his coaching staff would review the team’s performances and identify areas requiring improvement ahead of the decisive clash with Nabaya Sofas.
Spintex Knights lead Group B with four points from two games, while Nabaya Sofas and Energie BBC are level on three points after recording one win each.
The top two teams will progress to the Elite 16 stage of the qualification process and remain in contention for a place in the Basketball Africa League, the continental club competition organized by the NBA and FIBA Africa.
For the Pythons, Friday’s encounter presents a final opportunity to revive their campaign and keep alive Liberia’s hopes of reaching the next round.