Petrolina AEK secures victory over APOEL in playoff semi-final opener

In the first game of the ECOMMBX Basket League semi-final playoffs, Petrolina AEK defeated APOEL Perestroika with a final score of 99-77 at the Kition sports center. The series, which requires three wins to advance to the finals, began with a competitive first half that ended in a 50-50 tie. AEK built a slight lead in the first quarter, while APOEL kept pace during the second period. In the second half, AEK improved its defense and steadily increased its lead, finishing the third quarter at 77-64. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the gap widened to 21 points, securing a clear victory for the hosts. Hollingsworth led AEK with 24 points and a rating of 40, while Goudelock was the primary scorer for APOEL. This match represents the first of the best-of-five series, with AEK now needing two additional victories to qualify for the final phase.