It’s bounce back day for US Monastir and Kriol Star

Judging by the reactions of the two losing teams on the opening day of the 2025 Sahara Conference, it's fair to believe that they fight back at some point.

Cape Verde's Kriol Star went down 103-74 to Petro de Luanda in Saturday's first game, while former BAL champions US Monastir fell 70-67 to hosts ASC Ville de Dakar.

Now it's bounce-back day for US Monastir and Kriol Star.

With two more games scheduled for Sunday at the Dakar Arena, the head coaches of both teams remained defiant and refused to throw in the towel.

US Monastir almost spoiled ASC Ville de Dakar's BAL debut, but allowing the Senegalese champions some crucial offensive rebounds and a relatively poor shooting performance proved costly for the 2022 BAL champions.

US Monastir vs. Petro de Luanda

Immediately after suffering their first loss of the season, US Monastir head coach Vasco Curado explained what went wrong and what changes his team needs to make to bounce back.

"We gave up too many offensive rebounds, our shooting wasn't good, and even for Ville de Dakar, it wasn't good," Curado admitted.

Sunday's clash between US Monastir and Petro de Luanda is a rematch of the 2022 BAL final.

Curado continued: "We need to rest well and recover the players, physically and mentally, because there is a very short window between the two games, but no excuses, we need to prepare the game well, scout the opponent, who is a very good team as they showed in the first game [against Kriol Star]. I have full confidence in these players and they have a strong character.

"We need to start winning games, and tomorrow is the best opportunity to win our first game," Curado added.

Kriol Star vs. ASC Ville de Dakar

Reflecting on Kriol Star's BAL debut, head coach Hugo Salgado insisted that the 103-74 loss to Petro de Luanda in the 2025 Sahara Conference opener "does not reflect what we can be as a team."

"When we play teams like Petro, we have to fight more than they do, it's the only chance we have to compete at the BAL level."

Asked about Patrick McGlynn's absence with a foot injury, Salgado hopes the sharpshooter will return on Sunday, but it's up to the medical team to have the final say.

"He is a player who brings a lot to our team, he was one of our star players during the qualifiers and he can change the game. Right now he is injured. Our medical team is doing everything possible to make everyone healthy.

"Our expectations are to take it one game at a time. We go into every game believing that we can take that game. That's the only way we can qualify for the next round.

Kriol Star shooting guard Joel Almeida noted: "The most important thing is how you bounce back, that's going to show our character and you face the challenges.

"We have a big challenge tomorrow [against ASC Ville de Dakar]. Every win counts, every possession counts. We will go with our mentality, play our game and get the results we need.