Petro de Luanda captain Childe Dundão says the Angolan champions are determined to reclaim the Basketball Africa League (BAL) title, although they know they face a difficult challenge against hosts RSSB Tigers in Sunday’s final at BK Arena.
Representing Angola in the championship game, Petro de Luanda enter the final as the more experienced side. It will be their fourth BAL final appearance, having won the title in 2024 and finished runners-up on two other occasions.
ALSO READ: Petro de Luanda advance to third straight BAL final
Dundão, the BAL’s all-time leader in minutes played, acknowledged the threat posed by the Tigers, particularly star guard Craig Randall II, who has been in outstanding form since the Kalahari Conference. However, he believes Petro’s experience on the biggest stage could prove decisive.
"We have lost two finals before, and that has made us even hungrier to win this one,” Dundão said during the pre-match press conference.
"We respect RSSB Tigers and the quality they have shown throughout the tournament, but we will work hard to find the best way to win this game.”
Petro assistant coach Dimitrios Varvounis also praised the Rwandan side, describing them as one of the toughest teams in the competition.
"We know they are a very good team. They have caused problems for every opponent they have faced, but we will do everything possible to stop them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chasson Randle, who joined Petro after previously helping APR BBC secure third place in the BAL, said reaching the final reminded him of his successful spell with Real Madrid Baloncesto, where he won the EuroLeague title in 2018.
ALSO READ: What to know about RSSB Tigers, Petro de Luanda ahead of BAL final
"Being at this stage again brings back memories of my time at Real Madrid,” Randle said. "Petro have given me everything I need to succeed, and I will give everything I have to help the team win another championship.”
Petro’s BAL pedigree
Petro de Luanda are the only club to have featured in every BAL playoff tournament since the league’s launch in 2021, underlining their consistency and dominance on the continent.
The Angolans finished third in the inaugural 2021 edition before reaching their first final in 2022, where they lost to US Monastir. They placed fourth in 2023 before finally lifting their maiden BAL title in 2024 in Kigali.
Last season, Petro reached another final but fell short against Al Ahli Tripoli, finishing as runners-up.
With a championship, two runner-up finishes and a reputation for consistency, Petro de Luanda arrive in Kigali determined to add another BAL crown to their impressive record.